Kids pulled from wreck after taxi rolls: police

Several bystanders helped pull children from the wreckage of a taxi van after it rolled in a paddock south of Auckland, injuring five people, police say.

Four people are seriously injured and one other person has moderate injuries following the crash today, in which the van rolled and ended up in a paddock.

At least one of the passengers in the van was a child.

Police and St John ambulance crews rushed to Waiuku Rd near Waller Rd in Pukekohe shortly after 8am.

"Police are very grateful to several members of the pubic who were first on the scene and managed to pull children from the wreckage," a statement said.

One person was being flown by helicopter to Auckland's Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition. Other injured would be transported to hospital via ambulance.

Waiuku Rd was closed between Bald Hill Rd and Tramway Rd and diversions were in place.

A police spokesperson said the road would be blocked until about 10.30am.

The Serious Crash Unit was on its way along with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Team.