Four people have been killed after a head-on crash involving two vehicles on State Highway 1 north of Taupo this afternoon.
The crash occurred at the intersection of SH1 and Tutukau Rd, Oruanui, about 20km from Taupo, around 3.30pm today.
Police have confirmed that four people have been killed and eight injured after two people movers collided.
Of the eight that are injured, two are in a critical condition and the others are in a serious condition or have moderate injuries.
Senior Sergeant Nicky Cooney updates on the crash at the intersection of SH1 and Tutukau Rd, Oruanui.
A ten-month old baby has been airlifted to Waikato Hospital, 1 NEWS was told. Other patients include a man and woman both in their 40s, and a 17-year-old female.
Both lanes of the SH1 were blocked, with motorists being advised to avoid the area if possible.
Motorists were asked to use either SH5 or SH30 to avoid the scene.
The diversion for south to north is at Tirohanga Road and SH1. The diversion for north to south is at Oruanui Road and SH1.
Senior Sergeant Nicky Cooney told 1 NEWS near the scene that the deaths were an "absolute tragedy".
She said it was "very early" in the police investigation and she would not be drawn on a cause at the moment.
"It is school holiday period, we can always expect more traffic on our highways," she said.
"This is a timely reminder to drive to the conditions, weather does play a factor in our ability to stop, reduce your speed and take regular breaks."
No details were available about the nationalities of the victims. Suitcases were seen in one car, while a pushchair was seen placed by the side of the road.
The Hamilton-based Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter, the Tauranga-based Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter, the Rotorua-based BayTrust Rescue Helicopter and the Taupo-based Greenlea Rescue Helicopter were all dispatched to the scene.
The deaths bring the number of people killed on New Zealand roads since Friday to 14. The number of deaths for the year is 297.
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