Waterview crash: One dead, two injured after ute crashes into traffic light pole

Three people have died in separate crashes in Auckland, Waitaki and Waikato today.

The Auckland crash happened near the intersection of Alford St and Great North Rd just after 3am in Waterview when a ute crashed into a traffic light pole.

A person died in a Waitaki crash, near 11.20am this morning, involving a ute and a motorcycle.

One person died after a two-car crash on State Highway 3 in Waikato's Te Mapara.

A witness at Waterview crash scene said the ute's canopy appeared to have been torn off the vehicle and wreckage was strewn across the road.

Two ute occupants were injured, one seriously, and police said a third person had minor injuries.

Heavy lifting equipment was needed to remove the ute, so diversions would be in place for a while.

Police were trying to find and contact next of kin and said an investigation into the cause of the crash was underway.

Police are investigating after one person was killed when a ute crashed into a traffic light pole. Photo / File

The crash was the first confirmed fatality of the Queen's Birthday holiday weekend.

In South Auckland, one person was seriously injured when a car crashed on Bairds Rd, Papatoetoe.

The injured person was taken to hospital and a tow truck was being sent to collect the crashed vehicle at about 7.15am.

Meanwhile, a person was seriously hurt in a two-car crash at the intersection of Auckland's Dominion Rd and Mount Albert Rd.

The crash happened shortly before 12.15pm and one person was transported to hospital.

South Island serious crash

One person died and three people have been injured after crash involving a ute and motorcycle in the South Island's Waitaki district.

The crash was reported at 11.20am on the Morrisons-Kyeburn Rd, State Highway 85.

The police Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

The road is an inland stretch of highway about 100km north of Dunedin.

Police asked motorists to avoid travel in the area if possible, as diversions were in place.

Overall road deaths this year have now exceeded 140.

Shortly before the weekend started, four people were killed when a van and truck collided in Ashburton.