A person was trapped by their legs in a crash in Owhata in Rotorua.
A police spokeswoman said three people sustained moderate injuries in the crash on Te Ngae Rd outside McDonald's, near the intersection with Pohutukawa Drive.
It happened about 5.10pm and three cars were reportedly involved.
The eastbound lane was initially blocked and while the cars have sinced been moved off the road, there is still a "massive" traffic hold-up, the spokeswoman said about 6.10pm.
Motorist Daniel South said traffic was at a standstill back to Fenton Rd, while another driver said she left the Redwoods shopping centre at 5.15pm and had only made it to the league fields by 6pm as traffic was crawling.
A motorist who passed the crash said she saw two crashed cars.
Firefighters were freeing someone from one car that had crashed into a fence, she said.