UPDATED 8.55pm: Police have reported five people are dead following a truck and car collision on State Highway 2, near Dawson Rd, Aongatete.
State Highway 2 is closed both ways between Morton Rd and Thompson's Track after a logging truck and car collided around 8.15pm.
Police have warned motorists travelling to Tauranga from Waikato, Auckland or Coromandel they would be unable to get through via Waihi.
Motorists have been advised to travel via the Kaimai summit or Rotorua.