Police were called to the crash at the intersection of Bonisch and Parapara Rds at 6.35am yesterday.
It is understood that while the road is a private operational road through the forest used by vehicles, such as four-trailer-long trucks, not fit for public roads, it did see traffic from other road users.
Speaking close to the scene yesterday, Bay of Plenty roading police manager Inspector Brent Crowe confirmed there were no children involved in the crash and believed the four who died were forestry workers.
Conditions at the time of the crash were reasonably dark, he said.
This morning the Rotorua Daily Post asked police whether the occupants of the van were wearing seatbelts and if there was fog at the time of the crash.
However, a police spokeswoman said police were not able to comment while the investigation into the circumstances of the crash were ongoing.
Timberlands chief executive Robert Green said his company was co-operating with police.
"We can confirm that the people involved work for a contractor to Timberlands as valued members of our wider forestry team.
"Like everyone else in the area, we are shocked and saddened by what has happened. We pass on our condolences to the families, whānau and everyone affected by this.
"We are ready to provide assistance to whānau and families, but the police have asked that we not approach anyone until they have completed their own process for notifying next of kin."
