Police can now name the two people who died following a crash on State Highway 29, Lower Kaimai on Thursday, December 28.

They were Josephine Wilson, aged 28, and Piripi Chase, aged 31.

State Highway 29 was closed in both directions due to the two-vehicle crash which happened shortly before 12.15pm near the Kaimai summit.

On Thursday, following the crash, police confirmed that one person had died, a second person was critically injured, and a third had moderate injuries.

Police confirmed that the second person died overnight in hospital.

"Police extend our sympathies to their families and loved ones at this difficult time," says a police spokesperson.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.