One person is dead and another injured following a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 1 at Mataura early today.

Police said the crash occurred near the intersection with Cardigan Bay Rd about 3.30am.

In an update about 10.25am, police said one person had died and another had sustained moderate injuries.

A Hato Hone St John spokeswoman earlier said one person had been airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition.

The highway was closed for several hours. In an update at 9.50am, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advised the road had reopened.

Traffic management was earlier in place, and police were advising drivers to avoid the area if possible.

The Serious Crash Unit has attended the scene.