Two dead after road crashes in Auckland and Southland

Police say a speeding motorbike rider died after failing to stop for police and crashing on a major Auckland motorway off ramp on Thursday morning.

In a statement, Superintendent Shanan Gray said police signalled for the motorbike rider to stop on State Highway 18 after officers observed the vehicle speeding.

Soon after police activated their lights and sirens the rider lost control of the motorbike and crashed on the Tauhinu off-ramp in Greenhithe, he said.

The rider died at the scene and an investigation into the circumstances of the crash was now underway, he said.

Diversions would remain in place while the Serious Crash Unit made enquiries, Gray said.

Meanwhile, a person died in a crash involving a truck and a car in Southland on Thursday morning.

Emergency services said they were called to the crash in Greenhills, just north of Bluff, shortly after 6am.

Police said the Serious Crash Unit was investigating and State Highway 1 remained closed at the Stanley Township Road intersection.