Northland roads has claimed another life - the first this festive season.
The death of Sandy Paul Waenga Brown, 21, of Paua, 90km north of Awanui, has pushed Northland's roads death toll so far this year to 21.
Mr Brown was a passenger in a Toyota Hilux that veered off the road and came to rest on its roof on State Highway 1 near Paua Station at Te Kao, about 2.30am yesterday.
The 21-year-old female driver suffered serious injuries and was initially treated at the scene by St John paramedics before being flown to the Whangarei Hospital.
A female passenger was transported to the Kaitaia Hospital with minor injuries.