The crash occurred about 9.30pm on Monday on State Highway 83 between Kurow and Otematata, near the Waitaki hydro-electric station.
The car veered off the road, across the cycle track and hit a pole.
It is understood the vehicle then went down a bank about 5m and caught fire.
Yesterday, the remains of the pole, including its transformer, lay near scorch marks where the car crashed.
The vehicle had been removed from the scene.
Police yesterday said inquiries into the incident were under way and a disaster victim identification unit would investigate.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said crews from Kurow and Otematata attended the crash scene, but left it in the hands of other emergency services.
It was the fourth death on the roads nationwide over Labour Weekend.
