A man whose ute bowled three lamp posts in a serious crash near Kerikeri has been charged with attempted murder.

Three children restrained in the back seat suffered bumps and bruises but no serious injuries in the crash on Friday evening.

A female front seat passenger was knocked unconscious and had to be cut from the wreckage.

She was airlifted to Whangarei Hospital.

Her injuries are not life-threatening.

Members of the public helped her and the children until emergency services arrived.

The driver was uninjured.

He's also facing a charge of breach of a protection order - and police say more charges may follow.