Five dead on the roads on Waitangi Day

Five people have died on the roads on Waitangi Day, following a number of crashes in the North Island.

The road toll rose to five after one person died following a two-car crash in Carterton on Monday afternoon.

Police were alerted to the crash on State Highway 2 in Clareville about 4.10pm. The person died on the way to hospital, police said in a statement.

Another four people died across the North Island on Waitangi Day following three other separate crashes.

Two were on State Highway 4 in Manunui, in the Ruapehu District, and in Raetihi, near Whanganui.

A motorcyclist also died in a crash on State Highway 50, near Ongaongain in Hawke’s Bay.

All roads have since reopened.