Police are canvassing a large area of Rotorua today after launching a homicide investigation into the death of a man on Friday evening

Officers were called to Ford Road just before 8:30pm, after reports a vehicle collided with a tree.

They found 37-year-old Nicholas Patrick Mitchell with critical injuries, and he died a short time later.

Police say they know someone in the community has information and they want them to contact them as soon as they can.

They also want to hear from anyone who saw a white Toyota Hiace van registration DFR734 in Ford Road or the surrounding areas between 8pm and 8.45.