Two people are dead and two injured after a crash that closed State Highway 1 north of Kaikoura for much of the day.
Emergency services were notified of the two-vehicle crash, on the highway between Kekerengu and Ward, at 10.56am.
Police confirmed about 2.35pm that two people had died and two others had been taken to hospital with moderate injuries.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said crews were notified of an incident on SH1 at 10.55am and responded with a helicopter, two ambulances and an operations manager.
“Two patients have been treated on the scene – both in moderate condition and have been transported to Wairau Hospital,” the spokesperson said.
An NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi spokesperson earlier said the serious crash unit was attending and could take several hours to complete investigations.
"Given the Easter traffic heading to the Interisland ferries and coming south from the North Island, people should take the longer Lewis Pass route between Canterbury and Blenheim/ Picton," the NZTA spokesperson said.
NZTA advised just before 6pm that the highway had reopened.
Further south, one person has been injured in a crash on State Highway 6, the Haast Highway.
Police received a report of a two-vehicle crash about 2.30pm.
Motorists were advised to avoid the area for a time, but in an update about 4.30pm NZTA said the road was clear.
Police said one person was taken to hospital with moderate injuries.
