Two people have been killed in a collision between a car and a truck.
Emergency services were called to State Highway 1, about 2km north of Atiamuri, 20km south of Tokoroa, just after 1pm.
Police said the road was closed and would be for sometime.
Serious crash investigators are on scene.
Diversions:
Traffic going north from Taupo will be diverted at (Western end) SH30 towards Whakamaru north to Tokoroa. Traffic going north to Rotorua can turn right onto SH30.
Traffic travelling south from northern side of crash will be diverted south at Tokoroa via Whakamaru to rejoin SH1 via SH30.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients worker says there a lot of anxiety over potential loss of jobs.