Police are calling it "absolutely gutting" after five people were killed in road accidents overnight, including three in one crash.
The triple fatality came after a two-vehicle crash on the Desert Road (State Highway 1) at Waiouru in the North Island.
Emergency services were called to the scene about 2.55am.
Three people were found dead at the scene, police said. Two further occupants sustained serious injuries.
Another person who police believed was in one of the vehicles was originally reported as missing, but police late this afternoon said they had located him.
"There are no further concerns for his welfare and police are speaking with him," they said.
Elsewhere, one person has died following a crash in Wairakei, north of Taupō, while another person died in a single-vehicle crash on Waiheke Island. Emergency services were called to the scene, on Onetangi Rd, about 1.30am.
"That is absolutely gutting," Superintendent Steve Greally, director of road policing, said of the deaths.
"We are thinking of their families today, while they deal with the awful reality that their lives will never be the same."
There were two earlier deaths over King's Birthday weekend, including one near Dunedin, bringing the provisional number of deaths to seven.
The period ends tomorrow morning.
"We say it all the time but we're going to say it again - there are four main things that contribute to death or serious injury on the roads," Greally said.
"Those are speeding, not using your seatbelt, driving distracted, or driving impaired, including by tiredness.
"If you're getting on the road today, please - buckle up, put your phone away, watch your speed, and if you are at all impaired by alcohol, drugs or tiredness, stop - don't get behind the wheel.
"These things might be the difference between you getting home safely or not."
The Desert Road has reopened but police were still working in the area this afternoon and asked drivers to be cautious.
