Police are continuing to investigate a crash on SH5 near Rotorua which claimed the lives of two people and left several others injured.

A van carrying two adults and seven teenagers was travelling towards Rotorua when it collided with a milk tanker travelling in the opposite direction at about 4.30pm.

File photo.

The driver of the van, an adult male, died at the scene.

A teenage boy who was a passenger in the van also died at the scene.

A 16-year-old boy flown to Waikato Hospital remains in a critical condition.

The remaining six passengers from the van are currently in Rotorua Hospital.

A female in her 40s is in a serious but stable condition and the other five are teenagers who are all in a stable condition, says a statement from police.

Police are able to confirm that the group in the van are from Queensland, Australia, and the immediate families of all of those involved have been notified.

No further details about the group will be released at this stage.

The tanker driver who was in his 60s was taken to Rotorua Hospital and has since been discharged.

State Highway 5 reopened about 10pm.