Video / NZ HeraldChristmas holiday road toll halves again to seven deaths but police say ‘still too many’The number of road deaths during the Christmas holiday period has decreased for the second year in a row. There were a total of seven deaths recorded for the holiday period which ended at 6am, a sizeable drop from the 15 deaths reported last year, and even further from the 22 deaths during 2023/2024. While the decrease was described as encouraging, director of road policing Superintendent Steven Greally said it was still seven deaths too many. “Seven families have lost loved ones, for no good reason, and instead of being able to celebrate during this holiday season, their lives have been changed forever. “There are many contributing factors to lowering road trauma.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 04, 2026 18:54 UTC