The names of the four men killed in a crash in northern Hawke's Bay on Sunday have been released by police.

They were 64-year-old Jack Huata, 64, Paul Thomas Parata (known as Boydie), 48, both of Raupunga, and Waipua locals Lou Phillip Wesley, 47, and 42-year-old James Raupita.

The farm workers died in a crash near Putorino, 60 kilometres north of Napier.

A passing motorist saw a Mitsubishi Pajero 4WD over a bank on Waikare Road just off State Highway 2 on Sunday morning.

Police say they are continuing their investigation into the crash and had yet to determine when it took place.

The men had been drinking at a local hotel the night before and police say alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Three of the men were thrown from the vehicle.

The four had been working at Moeangiangi Station - the same sheep station where four people from a shearing gang had been working before the car they were in crashed head-on near Mohaka in January.

That crash claimed the lives of Wairoa quartet Watson Oliver Tipu, 31, Kennedy James Weir, 49, and half-brothers Raimon Keefe, 16, and Zyah Gianni Marsh, 13.