"We have another bus on its way to pick them up," Mrs Otway said.
We're communicating with every single passenger and contacting their families to reassure them.
"We'll also be conducting our own investigation and that is already underway. Any transport company would do that."
A nursing student on her way home from placement in Taupo was one of the first on the scene.
Camberley Morton said she pulled over and ran out to help passengers.
She saw a car "smushed" into the front of the bus, Miss Morton said.
"I don't know what happened to the driver but you couldn't see much of the car," she said.
"I got out and did what I could, there were a lot of people on the bus. There was petrol leaking and people had to get off the bus. They all seemed okay, a bit shaken up but nothing serious."
The bus was Rotorua bound and it appeared the car was heading south, she said.
There were 64 passengers on the bus - operated by bus company ManaBus.com - in addition to the male driver and female attendant crash, police said.
It is understood the attendant suffered a minor injury.
Police said there were no further reports of injuries from the bus at this stage.
The bus company had another bus on the scene and a third bus was on the way to assist affected passengers.
The weather was "poor" with heavy rain and every effort was being made to keep passengers dry, police said.
Two people from the car had been taken to hospital but no further details on their condition was available.
Diversions are in place. Northbound traffic is being diverted via Te Toki Rd and southbound via Ohaaki Rd.
