(New Zealand) Police would like to advise motorists to expect significant delays on State Highway 1 near Wellsford following a fatal crash this morning.

Two vehicles have collided north of Wellsford at around 11.15am and the driver of one of the vehicles has died at the scene.

The driver of the other vehicle has been airlifted to Auckland Hospital in a serious condition.

Our Serious Crash Unit and other emergency services are still dealing with a large scene which is expected to take some time to clear.

There are diversions in place but with heavy traffic expected due to it being a long weekend, we ask motorists to either avoid the area or please be patient.

This is an absolutely tragic way to begin the long weekend and we please ask that everyone takes extreme care when out on our roads this weekend.