Two people have been injured, one critically, and a vehicle allegedly stolen from the scene with a teenager inside after a crash near Taupō.
The crash happened on Poihipi Rd 1km out of Taupō about 7am, a police spokeswoman said.
One person was trapped in one of the vehicles and was critically injured, she said. Another was seriously injured.
Police said one of the drivers involved in the crash allegedly fled the scene in another vehicle which a teenage boy was in at the time.
The boy was found safe and well a short time later.