The four people killed in a head-on smash in northern Hawke's Bay on Wednesday night were in a shearing gang returning home from work.
Police have named them as Watson Oliver Tipu, 31, Kennedy James Weir, 49, and half-brothers Raimon Keefe, 16, and Zyah Gianni Marsh, 13, all from Wairoa.
Their car crashed into an SUV on State Highway 2 near Mohaka, about 30km southwest of Wairoa.
A 17-year-old male, who was also in the car, and the 62-year-old driver of the SUV are both in Hawke's Bay Hospital in a stable condition.
Senior Sergeant Tony Bates says investigations into the crash are continuing, but the car had crossed the centre line on a corner heading up a hill and hit a SUV towing a boat about 7.15pm.
The car's three back seat passengers, who were not wearing seatbelts, were thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene along with the driver.
Only the front seat passenger in the car survived.
Sen Sgt Bates says the car was seen speeding just before the crash and police want to hear from anyone who may have seen either vehicle last evening. Alcohol was also thought to be a factor in the crash.
The road was closed until 5.45am on Thursday.
NZN