The intersection of State Highways 1 and 5 north of Taupo will be closed until 10am on Saturday as police investigate a fatal crash.
They say one person was killed and two others injured in the crash about 1.30am on Saturday.
All the victims were in a car which tried to overtake a truck, but clipped the truck and collided with another truck in the oncoming lane.
The driver of the car died at the scene and two passengers are in a serious but stable condition.
The truck driver was not injured.
Diversions are in place.
