The death toll has reached 150 for 2019, up 13 on the same point in 2018.
The remains of a vehicle involved in the fatal crash near Ashburton that claimed three lives in April. Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers
Police are urging drivers to take more care and responsibility on the roads.
National Road Policing Manager, Superintendent Steve Greally, said people needed to start taking on the responsibility that came with driving.
"It is extremely disappointing that the road toll has surpassed the number of deaths than this time last year," Mr Greally said.
Superintendent Steve Greally. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
"Drivers must be responsible by giving the roads their full attention, driving to the conditions, not driving drunk, drugged, or fatigued and ensuring the use of seatbelts.
"The reality is that seatbelts save lives, being properly restrained reduces your chance of death or serious injury in a crash by 60 percent in the front seat and 44 percent in the back seat."
Police have set a target of reducing the number of deaths on the road by five percent each year.
At this point, the number of road deaths have increased by nearly 10 percent compared with the same point last year.
Police Minister Stuart Nash said, in an answer to a written question from National MP Chris Bishop, that police had: "Implemented a target of a 5 percent reduction in road deaths each and every year.
"This target was introduced on 1 July 2018 and is based off the 2017 year when 378 lives were lost.
"For the last six months of 2018, police achieved a 4.2 percent reduction in deaths compared to the same period in 2017."
Mr Nash said by the end of April the number of road deaths this year had gone up 4.6 percent.
Mr Greally said "speed is a crucial factor" in the severity of a crash, and the injuries to those involved.
"The simple and inescapable truth is that less speed means less harm in a crash."
The New Zealand Transport Agency's general manager of safety, health, and environment, Greg Lazzaro, said the social costs of the crashes were huge.
It's estimated that the social cost of deaths on the road in 2018 was $4.7 billion.
"It is a terrible fact that on average seven people die and more than 50 are reported seriously injured every week on New Zealand's roads," Mr Lazzaro said.
"Every one of these deaths and serious injuries has a devastating and ongoing impact on our families and our communities."
He said the agency was working to make roads safer.
