Emergency services at the crash scene. Photo Shannon Gillies
The crash occurred around 12.40pm near the intersection of State Highway 1 and SH83 (Georgetown Pukeuri Rd).
Sergeant Craig Sew Hoy, of Oamaru, said four people were in one car and five, including three children, in the other.
The driver of the car containing five people sustained serious injuries, while two children and another adult received minor injuries. A third child received moderate to serious injuries.
One person from the other car was seriously injured and three sustained minor injuries.
Three people were taken to Timaru Hospital, and the other six were airlifted to Dunedin Hospital.
The highway was closed for a time but is now clear, the NZ Transport Agency advises.
The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.
