One person was injured and later died in hospital, police said in a statement today.
The Serious Crash Unit is investigating the crash.
Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash, or has dashcam footage of a silver Ford Ranger ute and a green Toyota Vitz travelling along SH5 around 6am.
Contact police by calling 105 or online at 105.police.govt.nz, using “Update Report”, and reference file number 240404/9924.
It was the second fatal crash in the area in two days after one person died in a crash on Somerville Rd, near Okoroire Rd on Wednesday night.