Mum, daughter killed near Te Kuiti named

Waikato police have released the names of the King Country mother and daughter killed in a crash near Te Kuiti yesterday.

They were Gaylene Bell, 34, and her daughter Chanelle King, 17.

Family of King have expressed their shock on social media.

One posted "love to our little sis Gaylene Bell-King and her baby who sadly passed away yesterday god bless for eva in our hearts".

Waikato road policing Senior Sergeant Pete van de Wetering said the cause of the crash was still being investigated but confirmed it was a head-on, so one vehicle must have crossed the centre line.

The crash happened on a straight section of State Highway 3, just north of Te Kuiti, near Lees Block Rd at 1.30pm yesterday.

Police will now investigate on behalf of the coroner.