Wellington: Two people died and three were seriously injured in a helicopter crash in New Zealand's Kaikoura, the police confirmed on Tuesday.

Five people were on board a helicopter that crashed near the Kekerengu Rivermouth, 60km north of Kaikoura in New Zealand's South Island on Tuesday.

The injured people had been sent to a hospital, said a police spokesperson.

Police are working with other emergency services at the scene and will provide further information as soon as possible, the police said.