Waikino man Kelly Graeme Poulter died after he was flung from a car into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
Relieving Waikato police communications manager Natalie Swart said the circumstances surrounding the crash, which took place about 5pm on Saturday in the Karangahake Gorge, were "a little bit murky".
MrPoulter, 51, was in a Ford Falcon heading south on Pukekauri Rd and appeared to have been flung from the car into the path of an oncoming Toyota Hilux, she said.
He was declared dead by ambulance staff at the scene.
Ms Swart said it was still unclear how many other people had been in the cars although no one else was injured.
