Two people have died following a crash on State Highway 5 in the Bay of Plenty.

Emergency services were called to the crash at Iwitahi, east of Taupō, yesterday evening.

A police spokesperson says the two-car crash was reported to them shortly before 6pm.

"Sadly two people died at the scene.

"Another person was transported to hospital in a critical condition.

"The Serious Crash Unit has examined the scene, and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing."