Reif Cotter died after falling from a mattress on top of a car in Napier on December 27 while Parahaki Rurehe, 10, of Ōtaki died in a motorbike crash on Main Rd in Murupara on December 28.
Another died following a crash between a vehicle and a bicycle on State Highway 29 at Matamata on January 2 and one person died after a single-vehicle crash on Ihumatao Rd, Māngere the same day.
‘We all need to do better’
Police director of road policing Superintendent Steve Greally said this holiday period road toll was just over half last year’s total of 22.
“While it’s fantastic to have seen this number drop, any death on the roads is still one too many.
“That’s still 13 families who have had their lives irrevocably changed at what should be a happy and festive time of year, and our hearts go out to them.
National road policing manager Superintendent Steve Greally. Photo / File
Police would continue to be out in force across the country this summer, conducting road policing operations and patrols to target unsafe driver behaviour, he said.
Police said enforcement action has proven to deter people from driving dangerously.
