State Highway 5 northwest of Rotorua has now opened after a fatal crash early this morning.
One person died after a single-vehicle crash on the highway at Tapapa. Police were notified of the crash at about 3.10am.
In an update at 11.55am, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said SH5 was still closed between SH36 and SH28 while a serious crash investigation took place.
Motorists were urged to delay their journey or face long delays.