Two die walking on Northland roads

The man who died while walking home from a New Year's eve party at Kerikeri has been named as Charlie Junior Rihari.

Two people were killed while walking on Northland roads only a day after a senior police officer warned motorists and pedestrians to watch out for each other following New Year festivities.

The tragic start to 2017 began with the death of Mr Rihari, who died after being hit by a vehicle on Kerikeri Inlet Rd, near the Pa Rd intersection.

He was walking in the middle of the road on his way home when he was struck at about 1.15am on New Year's Day.

Mr Rihari is survived by his wife and three children.

Just an hour later, a 17-year-old girl died when she was hit by a vehicle while walking along Oruru Rd, between Peria and Taipa.

Police have not yet released the name of the girl, who lived at Tokerau Beach.

The deaths followed a warning from Inspector Chris McLellan, of Far North police, calling for motorists to watch out as people walked home from New Year celebrations.

Mr McLellan referred specifically to the number of young people who usually walked along Puketona Rd in the early hours of January 1, returning to campgrounds in Haruru Falls after celebrating in Paihia.

A 55-year-old man died on Friday, December 30, after his car crashed at Aranga, 34 kilometres north of Dargaville.

His name was Arthur Reihana and he is believed to have lived locally.

The death of a 17-year-old boy, who died at Ruakaka on New Year's Day, has been referred to the coroner.

His death was not related to a traffic or road incident.