Police say two people died after a crash involving three vehicles on State Highway 1 in Canterbury.
The crash on State Highway 1 (Ashworths Road) in Leithfield was reported to police at about 5.10pm on Sunday.
Police said another two people were taken to hospital after the crash.
A cordon was in place at the scene while a site examination took place, police said.
An investigation into the cause of the crash was underway, police said.
Just before 5.15pm, NZ Transport Agency said State Highway 1 between the intersections of Mill Road and Kings Road was closed until further notice as a result of the crash and that a detour was in place.