The man killed by a milk tanker on State Highway 2 near Te Puke last night has been named.
Te Puke man Alexander Trevor Forbes Taiatini, 44, had been walking with an associate along the highway at Paengaroa when he was struck by the truck about 7.56pm.
The driver of the truck and trailer unit was not injured but police stated this morning he had been left 'severely shaken'.
Police stated preliminary indications are that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in this crash.
Police were responding to reports from a member of the public concerned for two male pedestrians who appeared intoxicated and were throwing objects into the road.