Pedestrian dies after being hit by car on busy Wellington highway

Two people died on New Zealand's roads today and several injured after a series of crashes around the country.

Emergency services are now at a crash in Karaka, south of Auckland, where two people are seriously injured.

A police spokeswoman said a truck and van collided at the intersection of Glenbrook and Ostrich Rds, Karaka, about 12.45pm.

One man is in a critical condition and another man is seriously injured. Both were taken to Middlemore Hospital.

Glenbrook Rd is closed in both directions between Ostrich Rd and Charles Rd and will remain closed for some time.

The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.

Earlier today, a man, aged about 35, died after being hit by a car on a highway north of Wellington at 7am and police say an elderly man died in hospital after his car and truck collided in Christchurch at 10.30am.

Cranford St is closed as the serious crash unit investigate.

Meanwhile, two people have been taken to hospital with moderate injuries after a car and truck crash north of Puhoi.

The crash has blocked a lane of State Highway 1 near Moir Hill Rd and caused long traffic queues in both directions.

The New Zealand Transport Agency suggested motorists take a different route to avoid sitting in traffic.

The southbound tail stretches back to Warkworth.

And in Christchurch, a rescue helicopter flew two people to hospital after a road crash in the Mackenzie Basin.

Police say two cars left the Geraldine-Fairlie highway near Middle Valley about 8am.

The highway has since reopened.

A truck breakdown that caused major problems on a Waikato highway near Taupiri this morning has now been cleared.