Two people have been killed in a car crash in South Canterbury this morning, bringing the holiday road toll to seven.

Emergency services are responding to a crash on the Waimate Highway, between Carrolls Rd and Stangers Rd, near Glenavy.

Police were alerted to the incident at 8.34am and St John said two people died at the scene.

Local diversions are in place.

Northbound traffic is being diverted along Old Ferry Rd and southbound drivers are being diverted along Glenavy Tawai Rd.

The accident comes after another fatal crash which happened on State Highway 5 near Rotorua at about 9pm on Christmas Eve.

Three cars were involved in the crash and the driver of one vehicle, a woman, died at the scene.

The driver and passenger in the second car sustained serious injuries, and the driver of third car has minor injuries.

-Additional reporting from Stuff