Traffic delays will put a dampener on the long weekend for many North Island holidaymakers, after serious crashes closed main roads in Taupiri, Huntly, and Te Puna.
The Taupiri crash saw State Highway 1B, south of Taupiri closed.
It is now open, but the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has advised motorists to find an alternate route and suggests they travel through Ngaruawahia on Great South Rd instead.
In Huntly, a car and a motorbike travelling in opposite directions collided on Harris St just before 3pm on Monday.
Ambulance services were present at the scene, but the motorcyclist died before being taken to hospital.
The death brought the Queen's Birthday Weekend road toll to eight. The driver of the car escaped without injury.
Harris St and Glen Murray Rd have now been completely blocked off, with diversions put in place.
Meanwhile, State Highway 2 was closed between Katikati and Bethlehem following a serious crash in Te Puna, but has since been reopened.
Police were urging motorists to avoid the area if possible, and asked that they drive through Hamilton or delay their travel if possible.
The traffic flowing through the area was being diverted down Munro Rd.
Newshub.
