A woman is dead and four people have been taken to hospital after a serious smash on the Coromandel Peninsula.
The two-vehicle crash happened on SH25 at Whenuakite, north of Tairua, shortly after 10pm.
St John Ambulance tweeted five people were treated and taken to Thames and Waikato Hospitals.
Police say a woman died at the scene.
Another was in a serious condition and three others suffered moderate injuries.
A rescue helicopter flew the most seriously injured to hospital.
The police serious crash unit was investigating and the road is closed in both directions.
Last night police asked motorists to avoid the area if possible and be patient.
It was not clear if the road had reopened this morning.