State Highway Two has been reopened after a fatal two-car crash occurred near Mangatawhiri this afternoon.
Two people are dead after their car collided with another vehicle about 1.20pm today. Thirty nine people have now died on the section of road in 12 years.
Diversions were put in place for nearly five hours, affecting traffic heading to the popular weekend retreat of Coromandel.
State Highway manager Kaye Clark said motorists needed to allow extra time travelling through the section of SH2 and the detours added around another half hour to their travel times.
Motorists were advised to take note of signage and traffic controls in place.
Two cars were involved in the crash, but the occupants of the second vehicle were uninjured.
Television pictures show a hired campervan was involved in the
crash.