Snow fell to sea level in Christchurch yesterday and is disrupted travel in both islands, while high winds brought down power lines in the north.
Temperatures dropped in the South Island as a blast of cold weather moved northwards bringing snow showers to many areas on Monday night and into Tuesday.
In Dunedin, driving was treacherous, buses in the hill suburbs were cancelled and schools started the day late. Police advised motorists to avoid travel in the city's hill suburbs because of the icy conditions.
In Christchurch, snow fell to sea level in New Brighton beach, coating the sand white.
There were snow flurries on Transmission Gully (SH1) north of Wellington, and also reported in the Wellington hill suburb of Brooklyn. Snow showers also hit the Remutaka Hill Road between Wellington and Wairarapa.
MetService forecast heavy rain and strong to gale force winds in Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Taupō and Taihape.
Power cuts
Hundreds of people were without power in the North Island due to wild weather.
In Hawera, wind brought lines down, cutting power to 135 households.
In Morrinsville, 121 households were without power due to trees falling on lines.
Fallen trees also took out power lines on SH1 south of Kaitaia and about 500 people were without power.
