Two fatalities on NZ roads within 24 hours: One dies in vehicle crash near Tauranga

One person has died and another has been critically injured in single-vehicle crash early this morning.

The crash occurred on Te Puna Rd, near Tauranga, just before 4.30am, police said.

The death is the second on New Zealand roads in 24 hours, after a man died in a single-vehicle crash on Christchurch's Southern Motorway just before 9pm yesterday.

The man, who died at the scene, was the only occupant of the vehicle, police said.

The Serious Crash Unit is investigating both crashes.

Last year 12 people died in crashes over the Christmas holiday period, from December 22 to January 3.

This year the holiday period will begin at 4pm on December 24 and end at 6am on January 7.