Woman dies after 4WD hits bus

A woman is dead after a four wheel drive vehicle hit a bus at Tuakau, south of Auckland.

Police said the 4WD vehicle was travelling north when the driver apparently lost control and crossed the centre line and into the path of the Stagecoach bus in Bucklands Road, a kilometre north of Tuakau, about 7.15am today.

The passenger in the 4WD vehicle died instantly.

There were no passengers on the bus. Both drivers were slightly hurt.

The road was expected to be closed for several hours.

Today's death takes the Christmas holiday toll to six.

- NZPA