Police are calling for people to stay safe on the roads after two separate crashes near Rotorua have left three people dead and several others injured over the past 48 hours.

Two people were killed and another person was injured in a collision between two cars on State Highway 30 at Tikitere, east of Rotorua, early this morning.

Emergency services were called to the scene about 4.20am.

Police said diversions were in place at the intersections of SH30/SH33 and SH30/Matahi Rd earlier this morning, but NZTA said the road was now open.

The serious crash unit was investigating.

On Tuesday afternoon, a young driver died and two passengers were seriously injured after the car they were in crashed into a truck and caught fire on SH36 near Rotorua.

Police said the silver Lexus had been reported as being driven dangerously on SH1 south from Cambridge, reaching speeds more than 80km/h over the limit and cutting off multiple vehicles.

Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Phil Gillbanks. Photo / NZME

Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Phil Gillbanks said the car was linked to an aggravated robbery in Tauranga the previous day.

Police deployed road spikes on Oturoa Rd and Hamurana Rd, but the Lexus later collided with a truck and burst into flames.

“Courageous” members of the public and police used about 18 fire extinguishers to put out the blaze and save the trapped passengers, Gillbanks said.

The truck driver suffered minor injuries, while several officers were treated for burns and smoke inhalation.

A critical incident investigation was underway and the Independent Police Conduct Authority had been notified.

Police are appealing for dashcam or CCTV footage of the Lexus sedan, registration DZS7, seen on SH1 and SH5 between 4pm and 5.30pm on Tuesday.

Information can be provided online at 105.police.govt.nz or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

“The last two days have seen tragedies on our Bay of Plenty roads,” Gillbanks said in a statement to NZME today.

“We urge motorists to drive to the conditions. With the long, hot, dry weather there has been a build-up of grime on our roads, and rainfall makes this grime slippery.

“We continue to ask motorists to abide by the speed limit, don’t drive impaired, wear seatbelts, avoid distractions, and if tired pull over and rest,” Gillbanks said.

A heavy rain warning is in place for Bay of Plenty and Rotorua.

MetService has warned of hazardous driving conditions, with rapid rises in streams and rivers, surface flooding and slips likely.

The numbers

Bay of Plenty Police District (covering Taupō, Rotorua, Eastern Bay and Western Bay) recorded 33 deaths in 2025, compared with 37 in 2024.

There were eight deaths in the Rotorua region, eight in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, five in the Western Bay of Plenty and 12 deaths in Taupō in 2025.