The three men who died after a crash on State Highway 2, near Whakatane yesterday afternoon have now been named.

Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

The men, all living in Rotorua, were Dudley Sole Raroa, 55, David Reginald Te Wira Eparaima, 55, and Haki Graham Hiha, 40.

Four vehicles were involved in the crash and inquiries into the cause are ongoing.

The three men who died were employed by Fletcher Building, and a 46-year-old man was also taken to Tauranga Hospital's emergency department yesterday.

In a statement, Fletcher Building chief executive Ross Taylor said the company's thoughts and deepest sympathies were with the family and friends of the three people who died, two of which were part of the company's Higgins business and one who was a contractor for them.

Police also extended their sympathies to the families involved.