The cold snap continues, with central parts of the country bearing the brunt of today's bad weather.

A number of major roads are closed in the lower South Island due to snow and ice, and at least one flight out of Dunedin has been cancelled.

SEE ALSO: 'Worst storm of the year' hits NZ

MetService forecaster Andrew Downs told Larry Williams this is a "significant, severe winter storm".

He said a number of regions north of Canterbury will cop a battering.

"We are looking at quite substantial amounts of rain, so warnings for heavy rain will be issued for parts of Wairarapa, Wellington, up through the Kaikoura areas."

The bad weather weather has seen harbour ferries cancelled in Wellington, and snow is tipped for the Rimutaka Hill Road.

LISTEN ABOVE AS ANDREW DOWNS SPEAKS WITH LARRY WILLIAMS