Two people died in crashes on Friday night, feared as the worst day for alcohol-related carnage on the roads as offices close up for the year.
In the first, a truck and ute crashed on the Kawatiri-Murchison Highway in Tasman around 4:10pm. A person in the ute was killed.
The second took place at 7:40pm on Te Araroa Rd, on the Rotokautuku Bridge near Ruatoria.
Police say a vehicle rolled off the road, the sole occupant dying in the accident.
The Friday before Christmas is historically one of the worst days of the year for drink-driving. It's not known yet if the two fatal crashes involved alcohol.
In 2018, 154 people were killed in crashes involving drunk drivers, out of a total road toll of 377. Of those 154, fewer than half - 70 - were over the legal limit.
Eleven people lost their lives over the holiday period last year. This year's official holiday period begins at 4pm on Tuesday, December 24.