Waikato man Kelly Graeme Poulter died after he was flung from a car into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
Relieving Waikato police communications manager Natalie Swart said the circumstances surrounding the crash, which took place about 5pm on Saturday in the Karangahake Gorge, were "a little bit murky".
Mr Poulter, 51, was in a Ford Falcon heading south on Pukekauri Rd and appeared to have been flung from the car into the path of an oncoming Toyota Hilux, she said.
He was declared dead by ambulance staff at the scene.
Ms Swart said it was still unclear how many other people had been in the cars although no one else was injured.
The Hamilton Serious Crash Unit attended and was carrying out an investigation to determine exactly what happened.
Ms Swart would not give any more details of the incident for fear it might hinder the investigation.
Police were still talking to the people involved.
Mr Poulter's family told the Bay of Plenty Times they did not wish to comment.
By Amy McGillivray of the Bay of Plenty Times
