Family members of the five people who were killed in a car crash near Taupō this morning have spoken about the "anguish" of their loss.
Five members of the same family were killed in the crash when a car hit a tree on Tirohanga Road, near Okama Road, around 7.40am.
Taihakoa Maui and Tohu Haa, who both lost family members in the crash, spoke to 1 NEWS about the tragic event.
"Although it just happened this morning the message has gone far and wide so everybody who has been told about the tragedy this morning are all feeling sad and aroha for the siblings who have to deal with this big struggle and big loss," Mr Maui said.
"I cried for my cousins and for my uncle, he has been sharing some moving and inspirational posts on Facebook these last two weeks about his road to recovery and it's sad he didn't get to see it through till the end."
Mr Haa added it was tough to lose one family member but five is "unbelievable".
"Having one special person in there is bad enough but when you have five this anguish and the crying within is going to carry on for ages, five is just unbelievable.
"I feel for all the family because they are crying within and today and tomorrow it's going to be the same," he said.
Taupō Area Road Policing Group Detective Sergeant Fane Troy told 1 NEWS six people had been travelling in the vehicle when it crashed.
One person, an 11-year-old boy, survived the crash and was airlifted to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition.
Detective Sergeant Troy said conditions were dry, adding that it was "too early to say what has caused the crash".
"What I can say is that not all the occupants in the vehicle were wearing their seatbelts," he said.
Family members of the deceased took part in a karakia to "be there in support of the deceased".
The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.
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