Wet and windy weather has been lashing parts of the country, and hundreds if not thousands of holidaymakers have packed up early and with many now battling wet roads and poor visibility as they drive home.
While officials would not link the bad weather to any of today's accidents, there have been at least four significant crashes - including one that cost the lives of two people earlier this evening.
The two died in a three-vehicle crash, one of which caught on fire, in Waimauku late this afternoon.
It's understood they had been trapped in one of the vehicles on SH16 between Restal Rd and Kiwitahi Rd.
Police said three others had been seriously injured in the crash that happened at 4:56pm.