Police investigating a fatal crash in Katikati on Monday morning are seeking help from the public.
The single-vehicle crash happened on SH2, Apata, near Turner Road before 11am.
The driver was discovered unresponsive in the driver's seat.
Medical assistance was provided, but sadly the driver was unable to be revived.
The vehicle, a white 2003 Nissan Vanette (light van) registration KHS980, had been travelling eastbound on SH2 towards Tauranga.
Initial enquiries have determined the vehicle likely sat facing oncoming traffic on a busy stretch of the highway for about an hour with its headlights and windscreen wipers operating following the crash.
Police would like to speak with anyone who may have seen this vehicle, or observed the vehicle's movements beforehand.
We are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who was travelling through the area between 9.30am and 11am.