Two people have died and three were injured after a single-vehicle crash in the South Island village of Hororata in the Selwyn District.
There are also reports of serious injuries in another collision in Canterbury, while one person died and another was seriously hurt in a crash south of Aucklandtoday.
The Hororata crash happened on Rakaia Terrance Rd at 2.46pm.
Three others were taken to Christchurch Hospital with a range of injuries.
Motorists were asked to avoid the area as diversions will be in place.
Meanwhile, one person died in a crash on Masters Rd in Waiuku that seriously injured another person.
In a third crash, police say initial indications suggest there are serious injuries at a 6pm crash on Settlers Rd in Reporoa in Canterbury, and asked motorists to avoid the area.
