It's been a horror start to the long weekend with two people dead and several others seriously injured in three separate car crashes on Friday.
The crashes happened in Pākaraka, Waipū, and Taihape, closing State Highways in all three locations.
PĀKARAKA (WHANGANUI DISTRICT)
One fatal crash happened near Pākaraka, Whanganui District, just before 2pm.
Two vehicles were involved, and police said one person died while another occupant was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
It's unclear if the death counts as part of the long weekend road toll.
Police have closed State Highway 3, between Maxwell Station Road and Pukerimu Road.
Waka Kotahi said earlier there is no suitable detour available.
"This close will remain in place for several hours and our advice for motorists is to delay their travel through the area," the agency said.
Driving from Whanganui to Hāwera normally takes about 75 minutes, but with the road closed, an inland detour via Taumarunui could take more than 5 hours.
WAIPŪ (NORTHLAND / TE TAI TOKERAU)
And another fatal crash happened in Waipū, in Te Tai Tokerau / Northland just before 2pm.
One person received critical injuries and died at the scene, and four others were injured and have been taken to hospital, a police spokesperson said.
Several vehicles were involved in the crash.
Police have closed State Highway 1 between Nova Scotia Drive and The Braigh.
The crash happened at the intersection of SH1 and Shoemaker road.
Detours are in place, which "will add around 10 minutes travel time," Waka Kotahi said.
Northbound traffic can use a detour via The Braigh in Waipū, police said, while southbound traffic can use Nova Scotia Road.
TAIHAPE (RANGITĪKEI DISTRICT)
A third, serious but not fatal crash happened about five kilometres south of Taihape, Rangtīkei District just before 4pm.
One vehicle was involved, and police said the occupants appeared to be seriously injured.
Police have closed State Highway 1 south of Taihape and traffic control is in place.
Motorists should expect delays.
THE ROAD TOLL
The official 2023 Labour Day weekend holiday road toll began at 4pm on Friday, ending 6am next Tuesday.
In 2022, five people died over Labour weekend, with six deaths in 2021, eight in 2020, and two in 2019.
Matariki saw four deaths on the road toll, King's Birthday also saw four deaths, and Easter had one.
