At least five people have died in four separate road and rail accidents late last night.

Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

A train struck two pedestrians in Papakura, south of Auckland, just after 11pm. Both died at the scene.

Two people died at Kumeu in Waitemata shortly before midnight when a car crashed into a tree.

Earlier, about 9pm, a two-car crash at Maruia in the Tasman district about 9pm left one person dead and five injured. One person who was critically injured was flown to Christchurch Hospital.

Police closed the road between O'Sullivan Bridge and Springs Junction and said it may not open for at least a couple of hours.

About an hour later, a single-car crash on State Highway 1 near Te Horo on the Kāpiti Coast left the driver critically injured.

They said they were investigating the incidents.