All affected highways in the South have reopened after heavy snow cut power to thousands of homes and closed schools in Central Otago and Queenstown.
In an update shortly before 4pm, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said State Highway 94 (the Milford Road), SH6 (Haast Pass) and SH80 into Mount Cook had all reopened this afternoon.
SH85 between Omakau and Palmerston reopened earlier, but motorists using that road or SH87 (Mosgiel to Kyeburn) were advised winter conditions were persisting.
The Crown Range Road between Queenstown and Wanaka was closed this morning but reopened about noon.
Several thousand properties were without power this morning, the worst-affected areas being around St Bathans and Alexandra. Aurora Energy said it had been working to restore supply, and shortly before 2pm spokesman Matt Settle said they had got down to 230 properties still without power.
He said numbers were fluctuating a bit, but they expected to have power completely restored by the end of today.
"It is the snow at the moment, there are no other unusual things happening on the network and we believe all the outages at this point are snow related," he told RNZ earlier.
It wasn't clear what damage had been caused, he said.
"When we do have a snow dump in the area it does generate some hazards for field crews and restricts their access and mobility and does make it a little bit challenging to identify all the causes."
In Queenstown most schools closed for the day along with Dunstan High School in Alexandra.
Queenstown buses are now running after services were cancelled this morning.
A fallen tree was blocking Arthurs Point Road but one lane is now open, the Queenstown Lakes District Council said.
Queenstown Airport is open but warning that some flights may be delayed or cancelled.
Drivers were earlier being urged to stay off the roads in the Maniototo and Manuherekia areas because of thick snow.
"Given the volumes of snow in Otago, people who can delay travel, should do so or expect delays, as NZTA roading crews work to clear the highways.
"We appreciate your patience and encourage you to drive to the conditions given this polar blast," NZTA said.
He had woken to the power being out, and wondering why, opened his curtains to a "helluva fright".
Cadogan said the snowfall had been completely unexpected and was the heaviest he had seen in 30 years.
Daryl Jones in Lauder told RNZ there was 9cm of snow on the ground. Power went out at 5.15am.
He said he had had lived in the area for 30 years and not seen snow like it for many years.
Moisture resulting from the cold air and slow-moving front made for the "perfect conditions" for snow to continue piling up throughout the day.
Law said the heaviest snowfall expected was up to 25cm in inland parts of Otago.
"That's still high enough to run across the passes, say the Crown Range Road, places like the Lindis Pass as we head further north as well, that snow moves up into places like Arthur's and Porters Pass. so well worth keeping that in mind if you're planning your journey across those higher passes of the South Island today."
- additional reporting RNZ
