Rotorua Police are trying to work out when a car crashed into a tree, killing the driver.

The man, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, was found dead in the vehicle on Iri Irikapua Parade just before 7 this morning.

Police believe the car failed to negotiate a bend and smashed into a tree.

One local reports hearing a loud bang sometime between midnight and 2am.

Police are appealing for any information to help them piece together what happened.