This year's road toll so far is nearly on a par with the same period in 2017.
One person has died and another is fighting for their life following a horrific head-on crash in West Auckland on Wednesday afternoon.
It was the fourth death in as many crashes on New Zealand roads yesterday.
The two-car, head-on crash occurred near Waimauku, north of McPike Rd, about 5.15pm, forcingthe closure of State Highway 16 between the Waimauku roundabout and Kiwitahi Rd.
Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust said it flew a 20-year-old woman with multiple injuries to hospital to Auckland City Hospital. Photo / Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust
Photos from the scene show the mangled wreck of a car that appears to have taken the full force of the collision. Emergency workers attended to the injured.
A police spokesperson said three people were flown to Auckland Hospital after the crash.
Two were in a critical condition and the third in a moderate condition. One of those in a critical condition had since died, the spokesperson said.
Westpac Rescue Auckland crew assisting multiple patients involved in a head on collision in Waimauku. Photo / Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust
Westpac Rescue Auckland crew assisting multiple patients involved in a head on collision in Waimauku. Photo / Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust
Earlier on Wednesday evening, the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust said it flew a 20-year-old woman with multiple injuries to Auckland City Hospital.
SH16 WAIMAUKU - ROAD CLOSED - 5.45PM Due to a serious crash #SH16 is CLOSED between Kiwitahi Road and Waimauku Station Road. Detours are being set up, please consider using an alternative route as the road may be closed for sometime. ^MF pic.twitter.com/lW9SZN73PI
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) August 29, 2018
On Wednesday morning one person died following a serious crash near Wellington's Terrace Tunnel during the morning commute.
The crash closed the tunnel, stopping traffic heading in both directions and did not re-open until just before 12.30pm.
Meanwhile, a serious crash near Pūkaki, South Canterbury, resulted in the death of one person and two more were seriously hurt.
A police spokesperson confirmed one victim had died in the three-car crash just after 3pm on Wednesday.
The crash took place at the intersection with Mount Cook Rd and Tekapo-Twizel Rd near Pūkaki.
Police said two others were seriously injured and a third person had moderate injuries. Fire and police crews also attended the crash.
State Highway 8 was closed for a period at Lake Pūkaki.
SH8 PUKAKI - CANTURBURY - CRASH - 3:45PM - WEDS - 29AUG The road is CLOSED at the intersection of Aoraki Mount Cook Highway. Road users are advised to plan your journey accordingly.^SMhttps://t.co/dxONXBftJMpic.twitter.com/YezGZIEGBJ
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Canterbury & West Coast (@WakaKotahiCWC) August 29, 2018
And another person died after a single-vehicle crash on the East Coast.
Police say the crash happened shortly before 1pm on SH35 south of Tologa Bay.
The scene of a serious crash on State Highway 35, south of Tolaga Bay, Gisborne. Photo / Facebook - Cuzn Deneese
A second person in the vehicle was taken to hospital for injuries not thought to be serious.
