A 26-year-old motorcyclist has died in front of his partner following a collision with a car in Tauranga. 

The crash happened on a 50kmh straight section of Carmichael Rd outside the Bethlehem Country Club about 6.55pm on Wednesday.

Tauranga road policing manager, acting Senior Sergeant Phil Gillbanks, said a late model Peugeot car and a Yamaha motorcycle collided.

Early scene examinations and witness statements indicated two motorcyclists were travelling from the direction of Bethlehem Rd toward Millers Rd, Gillbanks said.

The Peugeot, travelling in the opposite direction, slowed and turned across the road into the path of the motorcycles as the driver went to enter the Country Club.

The front motorcyclist, a Tauranga man, crashed into the turning car.  

Witnesses and passers-by tried to administer first aid but the rider died at the scene, Gillbanks said.

The second motorcyclist was the partner of the rider who was killed.

She managed to stop just before the crash.

The woman was extremely upset and is being cared for by family and friends, Gillbanks said.

The name of the rider would be released after all family and friends were told about the crash, police said.

The driver of the Peugeot, an 84-year-old Tauranga woman, was being treated at the Tauranga Hospital.

Serious crash investigators have conducted an initial scene examination and were continuing to work out the exact cause of the crash.

Police would like to speak with any witnesses who have not already been spoken to.

Anyone with information should contact Tauranga Police on (07) 5774300.