A second child has died following a crash on the Desert Rd, north of Waiouru on Good Friday.

Senior Sergeant Fane Troy, Bay of Plenty Road Policing, said one child died at the scene.

The second child died in Starship Hospital today as a result of injuries sustained in the crash, Troy said.

Another person involved in the crash remains in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital.

Both children were correctly restrained in car seats.

Police want to remind travellers heading home from their Easter break to be patient and watch their following distances.