Police continue to investigate the cause of a fatal crash on Tiniroto Road, near Ruakituri, in the early hours of this morning.

The sole occupant of the vehicle was a 54-year-old Wellington man, who had close family links to the Wairoa area.

“The vehicle the man was driving failed to navigate a moderate bend, left the road and hit a bank on the opposite side of the road," says Acting Detective Sergeant Brent Griffiths of the Wairoa CIB.

“Police and Victim Support continue to provide assistance and support to the man's whanau."

Police are not yet in a position to release the man's name.

The matter has been referred to the Coroner.

© Scoop Media