A person has died after a serious crash in the Manawatū on Saturday morning becoming the first death in the holiday road toll.
Police said the single-vehicle crash on Rongotea Road was reported to them at 12:20am.
"The driver, the sole occupant of the car, was located deceased at the scene," a police spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said enquiries into how the crash occurred are underway.
The death in the Manawatū is the first for the Christmas and New Year road toll.
The Christmas and New Year road toll began at 4:00pm on Friday and road safety advocates are urging people to take care on the roads.
"It's not just a number, each person that's killed on the road had a family, a life that's been lost, and we see all the devastating consequences their loved ones will be going through," Brake NZ spokesperson Caroline Perry told Newshub.
"Every time you get in your vehicle just think about the fact that you are driving and it requires 100 percent of your concentration, 100 percent of the time."
AA road safety spokesman Dylan Thomsen also urged motorists to take things slow.
"No one should still be thinking they can add on a 10km/h buffer to the limit before facing a ticket. Those days are gone - there is a lot less leeway being given to those driving over the speed limit," Thomsen said.
"People tempted to use that buffer to shave off some extra time should instead budget for a slightly longer journey so they can get to their destination safely and without being hit in the pocket.
Thomsen said Kiwis should expect roadwork delays this summer.
"Aim for an enjoyable and safe journey - getting to your destination with less stress will allow you to enjoy your time with friends and family even more," he said.
He also urged motorists to be mindful of their behaviour around those working to improve New Zealand's roads.
"No one needs to get hurt or worse on the roads these holidays - whether that's those travelling on the roads or the people working on them. Motorists should obey the speed limits through work zones and follow the directions of workers controlling the stop/go signs," Thomsen said.
