WELLINGTON, July 18 -- The New Zealand government on Friday expressed its condolences on the crash of Malaysia Airlines MH17 and called for an unhindered investigation into the crash.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the crash was a tragedy and offered his condolences to the families of those onboard.

"It is important that the matter be fully investigated and we call for independent investigators to be allowed access to the crash site," McCully said in a statement.

"Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade are following up on indications that at least one New Zealand passport holder, and other passengers with New Zealand connections, may have been on board," he said.

"The ministry is working hard to confirm these details and make contact with the next of kin."

Around 295 people were believed to have been aboard the Boeing 777-200ER aircraft when it crashed in Ukraine en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur and reports suggested many of them were travelling onwards to Australia and New Zealand.