A police spokeswoman said officers were at the scene of a serious crash which had blocked the Luggate-Cromwell Road (State Highway 6) at Mount Pisa.
The crash involved a single motorcycle and happened shortly after 10.30am.
The motorbike had come to the attention of police earlier in the morning due to the manner of riding, and inquiries were under way to locate it when the report of the crash was made, the spokeswoman said.
"Sadly, the rider has passed away at the scene," the spokeswoman said.
The highway was closed for a time to allow the Serious Crash Unit to investigate.
Waka Kotahi advised about 3.40pm that the road had reopened.
Two fire appliances and a support vehicle from Cromwell Volunteer Fire Station also attended the crash.
No other vehicles were involved.
A St John spokeswoman said a helicopter and a manager responded but were stood down prior to their arrival on scene.
"The ambulance attended the scene; however, was not required," the spokeswoman said.
The crash is the third fatal accident on the country's roads today.
One person was killed in a crash near Carterton in the Wairarapa and another died in an accident in the Bay of Plenty.
