Göran Oskarsson was travelling with his wife and three teenage children when he failed to make a left hand turn and skidded across State Highway 47 before rolling down a 20 metre bank into a small creek, according to a statement from the police.
Police said Oskarsson was trapped and died at the scene.
His wife was flown to Waikato Hospital with broken bones and head injuries.
All three children were taken to Waikato Hospital to be treated for lacerations and bruising.
Police in New Zealand said they were able to identify Oskarsson as a police inspector in Sweden. His next of kin have been informed of his death.