Nine people died on New Zealand roads over the holiday period - a number associate Minister of Transport Julie Anne Genter says is simply too high.
The official Christmas-New Year holiday period for 2018-19 began at 4pm on December 24 and ran until 6am this morning and while this year's road toll is three less than the 12 deaths of the 2017-18 period, Ms Genter says it is still too many.
"My thoughts are with the families, friends and communities of the nine people who have lost their lives," she said.
"This is yet another reminder of the need to make substantial improvements to road safety in New Zealand."
Ms Genter said the government is looking to tackle the issue by investing $1.4 billion over three years to make urgent safety improvement across high-risk roads.
"Many deaths and serious injuries on our roads are preventable. This Government is committed to reducing deaths and serious injuries through new thinking, more funding and prioritised action.
"On high volume state highways New Zealanders can expect to see more improvements like life-saving median and side barriers and crash-preventing rumble strips."
The lowest recorded holiday road toll was six, back in 2012-13.
The overall road toll for 2018 was 380 - two more than 2017.
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