Wisma Putra, when contacted by Bernama, confirmed the incident while the Malaysian High Commission in New Zealand said it was in the midst of seeking information on the victims involved.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand police portal reported the three people were killed as a result of the crash involving a car and a truck at 3.10pm local time.

The report said another person had critical injuries. Three others have moderate to serious injuries, adding that helicopters assisted in transporting the injured to hospital.

Another news portal said Kaikōura firefighters had to use cutting equipment to free passengers from the car.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

In Kota Kinabalu this evening, Dr Rumihati’s sister Zaiton Abdul Hamid said the family wanted the victimes to be buried in New Zealand.

Zaiton, 61, confirmed that Rumihati, her husband, Adnan Jeman, both 49, and one of their children were killed in the crash. Two others were reportedly injured and currently receiving treatment at a hospital there.

Zaiton said Rumihati was on holiday in New Zealand with her husband and their three daughters, aged between 11 and 15.