Updated 12.13pm:Â Wellington
The snowy blast making its way up the country has hit Wellington this morning.
Small coats of snow have been reported in Karori and on Mount Victoria.
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State-Highway two over the Rimutakas was closed, but has just re-opened.
However, NZTA is still recommending commuters take the train to work this morning, to avoid driving in the icy conditions.
A power cut affected 34,000 homes and also traffic lights between Porirua and Ngauranga Gorge just after 7am. Power has now been restored.
Onslow College in Johnsonville is closed today due to fluctuating power.
Despite near freezing temperatures hitting the city, the weather isn't at fault.
Transpower's Rebecca Wilson says the outage was human error during maintenance at the Takapu Road sub-station.
Canterbury
Very cold conditions are predicted to bring snow to Canterbury today.
Snow showers are forecast to become heavier over Banks Peninsula this morning, and lower to near sea level - which could reach Cashmere and Westmorland.
Weather commentator Richard Green says up until six tomorrow morning there's a chance of 20 centimetres of snow falling above 400 metres
"10-15 centimetres down to 300 metres - that's the top of Cashmere - and lesser amounts to near sea level. The heaviest falls are likely this morning and again this afternoon."
Otago and Southland
Down south it will be just as chilly.
Power is slowly being restored to those who lost it around Dunedin.
Weather issues including a lightning strike saw residents lose power in Musselburgh and at Taiaroa Head.
Delta says power has since been restored to those at Musselburgh, while it will be another couple of hours for the customers at Taiaroa Head.
Power also went down in Port Chalmers, but has since been restored.
All roads around the Queenstown Lakes District are affected by snow.
The local council says chains are essential when travelling around the area this morning.
It says all roads are open with the exception of the Coronet Peak Road, the Crown Range and a number of State Highways.
Queenstown Lakes spokesperson Michelle Poole says people are going to need to use chains for at least another hour.
She says a lot of schools are closed and they're delaying the opening of facilities like libraries.
Snow has fallen on the Lewis, Lindis and Porters passes, and is forecast to persist on Milford Road through most of today.
Dunedin buses are running as normal, except for the cancellation of the Dunedin to Palmerston routes and two shortened services.
All kindergartens, primary schools and high schools from Mosgiel to Palmerston will open at 10 am.
Richard Green reports Dunedin has seen a considerable dump of snow overnight.
He adds the wintry tentacles will reach a long way north with forecasts of snow for Hawke's Bay, and hail for Auckland.
"This really cold outbreak is moving north and Banks Peninsula, and even parts of Christchurch city, have seen some wintry showers. That wind is starting to hum from the South."
Temperatures are expected to rise after two to three days however grey skies will continue throughout most of the week.
Clutha dairy farmer Stephen Korteweg says the cold weather has been well-flagged, so farmers are well prepared.
"Most farmers are now at or about the point of drying off cows and then they're going into winter mode where they go onto winter crops, and some are housed depending on what infrastructure they have on the farm."
Hawke's Bay
Snow has begun to fall in Hawke's Bay.
MetService say the cold front has reached the Eastern province and they're recording temperatures of around 1 degree at Napier Airport.
Auckland
Northcote Point Wharf remains closed due to high winds.
Spokesperson Louise Hyde says operations are waiting for winds to drop below 25 knots to re-open the service.
Nearby Birkenhead services are still available.
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