Police are seeking witnesses to a fatal head-on smash between a car and truck on State Highway 2 in the Thames district early this morning.
The male driver of the car was killed after his southbound Toyota Corolla and a northbound Scania truck and trailer unit collided at an intersectionnear Maramarua about 4.10am.
The truck driver was shaken but uninjured.
Police closed SH2 until shortly before 9.30am while the serious crash unit and commercial vehicle investigators examined the scene.
Sergeant Juliet Burgess of Huntly police appealed for witnesses to come forward.
"When they arrived there was no one who witnessed the crash present and the person who we understand phoned 111 was a visitor from overseas and we haven't been able to get through on their cell phone." she said.
"At this time we are working to establish what caused the head-on collision and there may be someone out there who hasn't already spoken to police who may be able to shed some light on what has occurred."