A male driver has been airlifted to hospital after a two-car crash on State Highway 1 near Te Hana in the Rodney District.
Seven people of varying ages from both cars have been transported to hospital in critical condition.
Emergency services are still at the scene of the crash which happened about 12.35pm.
The road is completely blocked and diversions are in place at Mangawhai Road (northbound) and Matheson Road (southbound).
The Police Serious Crash Unit is investigating.