That's 12 more than the number of people killed on the roads in the first 18 days of last December.
This year's road toll, as of midnight last night, stood at 327 - compared with 288 at this time last year.
Last night's fatal accident in South Otago followed a five-car crash in Canterbury in which a man was injured.
It happened on State Highway 1 near Dunsandel, just south of Christchurch, just after 3.30pm. Two vehicles initially collided, then the others pranged into them. Police, paramedics and the Fire Service were called to the scene.
The injured man, a driver of one of the cars, was taken to Christchurch Hospital in a moderate condition.
This week, police issued pleas to drivers to be safe and considerate on the roads during the holidays.
The acting road policing manager for the Bay of Plenty, Inspector Kevin Taylor, acknowledged there would be many motorists from overseas, so said people needed to be patient and show goodwill when behind the wheel.
Mr Taylor said slow vehicles or naturally slow drivers sometimes led to other motorists becoming frustrated and therefore risking dangerous manoeuvres in order to pass.
"Two vehicles cannot share the same space at the same time without either breaking or illustrating one of the laws of physics," he said.
"If you apply that to intersections, someone will get hurt and that's not what we want to see. It is all about common sense, courtesy and staying alert and focused on a safe journey."
Mr Taylor's key tips to reduce risk include:
• Make sure everyone is wearing a seatbelt.
• Focus on the road. Don't become distracted by changing music, fighting children, eating, putting on make-up or worrying about things rolling around in the car.
• Get off the phone. You can text or call people back later.
• Check your speed, and don't rush. Better late than dead.
• Take regular breaks. Don't risk being fatigued on the road.
Meanwhile, police in Tauranga are continuing to call for anyone who saw a fight between two men at a local Palmers Garden Centre in which one got into his vehicle and struck the other in the centre's carpark about 8am yesterday.
Police said the incident happened after an argument involving the men and a woman.
A 51-year-old local man was taken to hospital with "a number of relatively serious injuries", a spokesman said.
A 28-year-old man was arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
