Waikato road death toll for April 2025 was seven

Seven people lost their lives in crashes on Waikato roads in April, two more than in the same month last year, according to Ministry of Transport data.

The news comes as the month’s nationwide road death toll almost doubled, going up from 18 in April 2024 to 31 in April 2025.

Over the Easter weekend, there were four road deaths across the country, compared with seven in the same period last year.

One of those Easter fatalities was in Waikato.

The provisional data, accurate as of May 6, was taken from numbers updated daily by the Ministry of Transport.

The data is summarised from information provided by New Zealand Police.

In a statement, police said any deaths on New Zealand roads were “too many”.

“It is a reminder for people to stick to safe driving behaviours.

“Drive at a safe speed for the conditions, put down the cellphone, drive without impairment from drugs, alcohol and fatigue and wear your seatbelt.”

Six of Waikato’s road deaths were reported to the Herald by police within hours of the crashes in which they occurred.

Waikato’s fatal crashes: April 2025

April 10

Nancy Ruth Smith, 79, of Hastings, died at the scene of a two-vehicle crash on SH1 near Tīrau on Thursday, April 10.

Emergency services were called to the crash about 10.40pm.

Police have said the circumstances of the crash are still under investigation.

April 13

Reihana Claude Albert Ngamotu, 56, of Tauranga, died after his motorcycle crashed on Rosemont Rd, Waihī, on April 13.

“Our thoughts are with those close to him,” police said.

April 16

Kerri David, 32, died at the scene of a single-vehicle crash on Tuhikaramea Rd in Temple View, Hamilton, on April 16.

The crash was reported to emergency services about 10.30am.

A second person suffered minor injuries, police said.

Hato Hone St John said one ambulance, a rapid response unit and an operations manager attended the incident.

One patient, with a minor condition, was assessed and treated at the scene.

David was from Melville, Hamilton.

April 21

Woonkyung Lee died after a crash in the Waikato town of Mangakino on April 21.

Lee was 64 and from the Republic of Korea.

Police said the crash happened on Waipapa Rd between Scott Rd and Monarch Rd about 4pm.

Lee died at the scene. Two other people were taken to hospital.

April 29

Police confirmed on April 29 the death of one person after a vehicle crashed into a power pole at 4.40pm on Horotiu Rd, south of Te Kowhai.

Police said the driver died at the scene. He was David James Kingi, 65, of Waipawa.

Horotiu Rd was closed for several hours while scene examinations took place.

April 30

Stan Tangaroa-Green, 31, died after a serious crash involving a truck and a car on State Highway 3 between Māhoenui and Awakino.

The crash happened about 9.50am on April 30.

Police later confirmed one person had died and one person was injured.

“Our thoughts are with those close to him at this time,” police said.

Inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.