A pedestrian is dead after being struck by a vehicle on the Southern Motorway in Auckland.

Emergency services were called to the incident in a northbound lane of the motorway between the Te Irirangi Drive on-ramp and the East Tamaki Rd off-ramp near Ōtara about 12.30am, police said.

“Despite the best efforts of first responders, the person died at the scene.”

The northbound lanes were closed on the affected section of the motorway before being reopened about 6am.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash were taking place, police said.

“And police are providing support to those involved.”

Fire and Emergency sent crews from Papatoetoe and Ōtara were also called to the incident, helping police with scene protection, a spokesman said.

A Hato Hone St John spokesman said one ambulance, a rapid response vehicle and an operations manager attended the scene.