Fire and Emergency and Hato Hone St John crews also reportedly attended the scene.
Photo: RNZ / Patrice Allen

One person has been confirmed killed in a crash that blocked a road in Northland on Saturday evening.

The accident – which saw a car crash into a tree on Te Pua Road near State Highway 1 in Kaikohe – was reported about 5.30pm on Saturday.

“Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the person died at the scene,” police confirmed on Sunday morning.

“The Serious Crash Unit attended and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.”

Fire and Emergency and Hato Hone St John crews also reportedly attended the scene.

So far, there has been just the one death on the roads this King’s Birthday long weekend. The official holiday period began at 4pm on Friday, and will end at 6am on Tuesday.

The worst King’s Birthday road toll in recent years was six deaths, recorded in 2019 (then known as the Queen’s Birthday).

Drivers caught risking their safety and that of others over the holiday weekend would not be let off with a warning, police said on Saturday.

Road policing director superintendent Steve Greally said he did not want families and communities having to face the tragic consequences of a bad decision on the road, and police would be “out in big numbers”.

“Don’t expect a warning – if you’re pulled over for offending on our roads, it’s really important to understand we want people to get home safely, simple as that. It doesn’t get more serious than losing your life.”

The warning came days after the worst New Zealand road accident in two years – five killed in a two-vehicle crash in Waikato.