Two people have died in separate crashes in the Bay of Plenty this morning as torrential rain hit the region.
A female moped rider in her 70s died when her moped and a car collided at an intersection in Rotorua at 6.30am.
A man was killed in a second crash on State Highway 1 at Putaruru when a car and a truck collided.
Bay of Plenty police spokeswoman Kim Perks said: "Investigations are continuing into both of these crashes and it is too early to say whether either crash was weather related but torrential rain is making road conditions treacherous.
"Police are urging all motorists to take extra care. We've had a long dry summer and the sudden downpour is making roads extremely slippery. As winter fast approaches there is a need to adapt to the changes, slow down and drive to the conditions."
Meanwhile, roads were closed on SH2 at Whakamarama after a truck and trailer carrying gas cylinders rolled.
Firefighters were recovering the hazardous materials and it was not clear how long the road would be closed.
