Two children are recovering from surgery after a head-on crash in eastern Bay of Plenty, which left an entire family in hospitals across the upper North Island.

Jacob Te Kurapa told Whakatane radio station 1XX his sister's Opotiki family were rushed to hospital after several vehicles collided on Wainui Rd in Maraetotara, about 7pm last Friday.

All six people, including five of Te Kurapa's family, were taken to Whakatane Hospital.

"I'm ringing directly from Starship Children's Hospital in Auckland," Te Kurapa told 1XX this morning.

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He said two of his family remained at Whakatane Hospital, "their injuries were not so bad", while his sister was taken to Waikato Hospital and was in a coma, and two of the children were at Starship Hospital.

He said with the family being separated in different hospitals has been difficult and caused some anxiety.

"Although we are in contact via Facebook and any other media, phones etc. The reality is trying to see our sick and beloved ones face-to-face [can be hard]."

He said his family has come together over the incident, with other relatives travelling from Australia to offer support.

"The children are doing well and making a full recovery after their surgeries," he said, adding his sister was "in and out of her coma".

"The cars are a write-off," he said, indicating the crash may have been the result of a driver crossing the centreline.