All safety precautions were taken at a Greymouth street race where a motorcyclist died in a crash, the Grey District mayor says.
Two motorcyclists taking part in yesterday's race collided; one was killed and the other injured.
The mayor, Tony Kokshoorn, said this is the first fatality at the event, which has been running for 27 years.
"The committee that runs this event run it under a set of rules of motorsport and you will find they have adhered to every safety code that is out there, Mr Kokshoorn said.
"You have a whole heap of motorbikes going around a course and you are up against accidents that can happen."
Mr Kokshoorn said he supported the committee's decision to continue the race after the accident.