A motorcyclist was hit and killed by a driver going the wrong way on SH1 between the Newlands off ramp and Johnsonville.

A woman has been charged over the death of a motorcyclist struck by an allegedly tired driver on the wrong side of the road in Wellington.

A 25 year old Wellington man was killed around 3am on Saturday morning when the motorcycle he was riding north on State Highway 1 was struck by a car travelling south in the northbound lanes near Johnsonville.

Police said fatigue was a factor in the incident and urged people to travel safely over the holiday period.

GOOGLE MAPS SH1 near Johnsonville, Wellington, looking north in the northbound lane.

Wellington District Crime Squad are investigating the incident and have charged a 72-year-old woman with careless driving causing death.

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She was initially taken to hospital with minor injuries, but was released from custody to appear in the Wellington District Court in the New year.

The motorcyclist died at the scene, and police asked that anyone who may have seen the incident, or the car on the wrong side of the road, to call Wellington Police or Crimestoppers.

A witness had seen a car driving the wrong way down the northbound lane, and was in touch, police said.

Police and fire and emergency had cleared the scene by 8 am.

Four Wellington Free Ambulances attended.

The Serious Crash Unit was also investigating.

The death is the third on New Zealand roads during the official holiday period, which started at 4pm on Christmas Eve and runs to 6am on Thursday January 3.