A Sri Lankan has died after a vehicle rolled following a head-on collision on State Highway 1, about 4km south of Putaruru, South Waikato.

NZ Police said two cars crashed head-on about 6pm yesterday and one driver died at the scene. The second driver, also male, received moderate injuries and was taken to hospital.

Police have named the person killed when a vehicle rolled on State Highway 1 yesterday as Gamini Vithanage. The 56-year-old from Putaruru was approximately 5km south of the south Waikato town when the accident happened.

Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.

"All road deaths are a tragedy and while the investigation is still in the early stages all motorists are reminded to only drive when they are well rested, to avoid distractions and to drive to the conditions," Senior Sergeant Fane Troy said.

(NZ Herald)