Two people have died and multiple others have been injured in a series of crashes across the country overnight and this morning.
Police said one person died following a single-vehicle crash on Howden Rd in Temple View, near Hamilton, around 8.40pm last night.
Despite the efforts of emergency personnel, the person died at the scene.
The serious crash unit was investigating.
Another person died at the scene following a two-vehicle crash on Auckland's South-Western Motorway around 6.15am this morning.
Two others sustained moderate injuries in the collision.
St John said it responded with three ambulances, one rapid response unit and one manager.
A section of the motorway was closed while the serious crash unit carried out a scene examination.
The road had since reopened.
High volume of crashes affect roads across New Zealand
Serious crashes blocked lanes on two of Auckland's motorways this morning, while two overnight incidents in Southland have also closed several local roads.
This morning's fatal crash in Onehunga left two lanes of the Southwest motorway closed.
Elsewhere in Auckland, a three-vehicle crash on the Southern Motorway SH1, near Ōtara, also blocked northbound lanes.
Police received a report of that crash at about 7.25am.
St John said one patient in a serious condition had been taken to Middlemore Hospital, while two patients with minor injuries were treated at the scene.
Lanes have since reopened in both instances.
Another crash several hours later in Mount Roskill has led to traffic diversions on the east side of Maioro St at the overbridge.
Police said they were called to the two-vehicle crash around 10.30am.
One person sustained moderate injuries in the collision.
Motorists were asked to avoid the area and to expect delays while the scene was cleared.
Meanwhile, Ōhura Rd on SH43/Forgotten World Highway was blocked following a single-vehicle crash.
Emergency services were called to the scene around 11.30am.
Motorists were advised to delay their travel.
Further south, the NZ Transport Agency said SH20 had been closed between the Neilson St and Queenstown Rd off-ramps, with police saying northbound lanes were blocked.
Live traffic cameras showed congestion building at off-ramps in the area where traffic had been diverted.
Southland roads closed overnight
Two single-vehicle crashes overnight have closed roads in Southland.
Leet St in Invercargill has been closed after a crash around 3am.
St John said it responded two ambulances and assessed four patients.
Three in a moderate condition were treated at the scene, while one in a moderate condition was taken to Southland Hospital.
The serious crash unit has been advised, with the road expected to remain shut for most of the day as diversions are in place, according to police.
Elsewhere in the region, Winding Creek Rd remains blocked following a crash reported around 12.40am.
A police spokesperson said injuries have been reported, the serious crash unit has been advised, and the road is expected to be closed for most of the day.
St John said it responded one first response unit, one ambulance, one rapid response unit and one helicopter.
One patient was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition.
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