Eight people have been injured in a crash near Ōpōtiki, triggering a major emergency response including rescue helicopters.

Police were called to the two-vehicle crash on State Highway 2 at Waiotahe around 8.30pm yesterday.

Four ambulances, a critical care unit, an operations manager, two rescue helicopters and the major incident support team went to the crash site, Hato Hone St John said via a social media post.

One person in a critical condition was airlifted to Waikato Hospital while one in a serious condition, four in a moderate condition and two in a minor condition were taken to Whakatāne Hospital.

A police spokesperson said the road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit examined the scene and it reopened between 3.30am and 4am.

“Inquiries into the crash are ongoing.”