UPDATED 8.17PM NZTA says state highway 2 at Aongatete between Tauranga and Katikati is now partly open after a crash earlier this afternoon.

Stop-go patrols are now in place after the road had been closed by a two-car crash near Wright Rd in Aongatete.

One person in each car was trapped until fire crews freed them using the jaws of life.

Both are in hospital and described as being in critical condition.