The lives of four adults and three children were claimed in two crashes in the Taupo area today.
The first crash happened at 1.05pm when a car travelling south towards Taupo collided head-on with a truck travelling in the opposite direction. Both occupants of the car, two male Indian nationals visiting New Zealand, died at the scene.
The male truck driver, and a female passenger, both from Kaitaia, were treated for minor injuries at Tokoroa Hospital.
SH1 has now re-opened.
At approximately 1.40pm contractors assessing a forest area on SH32 near Whakamaru located a car which appears to have left the road and struck a tree. Inside the car were a family believed to be a 37-year-old man, a 23-year-old woman and three boys aged 11 years, two years, and three weeks from Whakamaru.
This vehicle had travelled some metres from the road and could not be seen from the road. Police are now working to trace the movements of the occupants to establish when this crash occurred. The family were last seen on about 8pm on Sunday night (16 December) in Whakamaru.
One lane is currently open on SH32 and at some point later today the road will have to be completely closed for a short time to enable recovery of the vehicle.
Area Commander for Taupo, Inspector Steve Bullock said: "This is an absolute tragedy; a Christmas in ruins for a number of families and friends. Our hearts go out to them.
"It is a timely reminder of just how easily lives can be changed in an instance. I would ask that everyone please reflect on what has happened to day and do everything possible to ensure that we do not see more lives lost on our roads over the holidays. We don't yet know what caused these particular crashes but we do know that speed, alcohol, fatigue, inattention and a lack of restraints are major factors in deaths on our roads. Please drive to the conditions and to your ability at all times."
No further information on those killed today will be released until all next of kin have been notified.
Anyone with information about either of these crashes are asked to contact Taupo Police on 07 378 6060.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.