One person has died following a single-vehicle crash near Whakatāne.
Emergency services were called to Grieve Rd in Otakiri about 9.20am and one person was found dead, a police spokesman said.
The road remains closed and inquiries are ongoing, he said,
Earlier, police said they were responding to a single-vehicle crash where a car had gone off the road.
The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.
The road is closed and diversions are in place at the intersection of Grieve and Powell Rd and the top of Grieve Rd.
Motorists were advised to take an alternate route.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman confirmed it attended and helped police and St John.
Fenz received a report of the incident at 9.13am.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said it received a call at 9.18am about an incident on Grieve Rd, Otakiri.
Hato Hone St John referred to the police for further information.
Officers were photographed helping to paint protest signs.