Labour weekend road toll reaches two after crashes in Lower Hutt, Waikato

Meanwhile, people have been critically injured in crashes in Northland, Ōpōtiki, Canterbury, and Westport.
Meanwhile, people have been critically injured in crashes in Northland, Ōpōtiki, Canterbury, and Westport. Photo credit: Newshub.

Two people have died on the roads so far this long weekend.

A person has died in a car crash in the Lower Hutt suburb of Taitā.

Police said they were called to the single-car smash at about 11am on Saturday.

Diversions had been in place but the road has now reopened.

One person also died after a crash in Waikato. Police said the crash occurred on Horotiu Road, off State Highway 39 at about 11am on Saturday.

Meanwhile, people have been critically injured in crashes in Northland, Ōpōtiki, Canterbury, and Westport.

Police have warned they will be patrolling the highways in large numbers to avoid a repeat of last year's Labour weekend where eight people died despite Covid restrictions.

Superintendent Steve Greally said people may see a police vehicle every 15 to 20 minutes on main highways.

Police will be looking out for any signs of dangerous driver behaviour - like speeding, not wearing seatbelts, or using mobile phones.