Speed is believed to have contributed to a head-on crash which killed a 29-year-old man and closed the Desert Road overnight.
Emergency services closed State Highway 1 in the central North Island after the crash over the Waikato Stream bridge, just north of the Waiouru summit, about 9.50pm yesterday.
Taihape police said a northbound Toyota crossed the centre line and collided with a southbound Mitsubishi.
Initial indications suggested speed was a factor in the crash.
The 29-year-old driver of one vehicle died at the scene.
He will not be named until next of kin have been informed.
The other driver was taken to Wanganui Hospital with moderate injuries.
Police believe there were no passengers in either vehicle.
The road was reopened about 3am today.
