The road was closed and lengthy diversions were in place. All motorists travelling between Tirau and Rotorua were being diverted through Putaruru and Tokoroa.
Police thanked motorists for their patience in advance.
The crash brings the holiday road toll to five. One person died in a crash in central Hawke's Bay at dawn this morning, and another died in Hanmer Springs just after midnight.
Taxi driver Abdul Raheem Fahad Syed died in a crash on Auckland's Symonds St early on Saturday morning, and another person died in a crash in Northland about 5.45pm that evening.