Tauranga road policing staff have been attending several crashes since 4pm today.

Among them has been a serious crash on SH29A where two people died and several people have suffered serious injuries.

It involved five vehicles and occurred after a car broke down.

The crash happened at Maungatapu, between Baypark and Welcome Bay.

One person died at the scene, another person died in hospital.

Another crash at the same time was reported on Pyes Pa Road and involved two vehicles colliding and bringing power lines down.

Police are attending and there are no reports of injuries or road blocks.