Two people have died in separate crashes in North Canterbury on Tuesday afternoon.

Emergency services were first called to a serious crash on State Highway 7 near Culverden just after 3PM.

One person was killed and another suffered moderate injuries, a police spokesperson said.

The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit carried out its investigation.

Then, another person was killed in a crash on State Highway 1 in Leithfield.

Emergency services were called to the scene at 5.15PM.

While the highway had reopened, the entrance to Mays Road was closed for the crash investigation.