Three people have died after a car collided with a tree on State Highway 35 near Gisborne, local police confirmed.
Emergency services were alerted to the serious crash on Te Araroa Road at about 5:45am on Monday.
"Sadly, all occupants of the vehicle died at the scene," police said in a statement.
An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.
The road remains closed while authorities examine the scene. Motorists are asked to avoid the area or follow the direction of emergency service staff.
