A woman killed in a road crash in the Hunterville area early this morning has been named as 35-year-old Miriama Parata from Tauranga.
The woman was a front seat passenger in a mini-van being driven by her husband along SH1 when the vehicle crashed down a bank just north of Rata shortly before 2am.
Mrs Parata's husband and their 8 children, who were also in the mini van, were not hurt. The family were returning to Tauranga having spent the weekend in the Wellington area.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. Early indications suggest that fatigue is a possible factor in the crash.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.