Civil Defence is urging people to stock up on emergency food and water tonight, as the Antarctic blast that has blanketed much of the country in snow is set to continue.
In Christchurch and the south, the snow disrupted travel, schools, hospitals and power supply.
There are fears prolongued bad weather will lead to loss of farm stock and farmers are being warned to prepare for at least another two days of cold weather and heavy snow overnight.
Tonight, the MetService says the southerly gales will produce significant wind chill.
New Zealand’s snow day both fun and treacherous
A once in a lifetime experience for Auckland was just another four letter word as you went further south - snow.
Not since 1976 has it fallen in places like the Waitakeres and Pukekohe.
There it was exciting - but for Christchurch and the south, it was inconvenient and sometimes dramatic.
See how snow affected all the main city centres:
Graders were on the job early, clearing the way for motorists who had to take to the icy roads.
Volunteers on foot did their bit to get people moving but this time more horse power was called for.
Hill suburb residents seemed more prepared.
“I left my car down below the last couple of days because the last big snow I couldn't get to work so I thought I’d take a chance and see if I can get there,” says Trevor Weaich.
After a day on the ski fields yesterday the Johnston family was able to ski in their own back yard today.
“This is a first being towed, it is pretty mint, might have to set up some jumps later,” says Michael Johnston.
The snowfall closed all schools and universities and created a backlog at the airport.
In Dunedin the trickier roads were four-wheel-drive only but even they can get into trouble.
All of the South Island alpine passes are closed and a few trucks near Kaikoura are likely to spend the night on the side of the road.
But one man did manage stay on State Highway One. Mike butler is walking around the South Island to raise money for the cancer society.
“Today we walked over the Hunderlee Hills although the road was closed and the snow was falling we managed to get through,” he says.
Even the West Coast got its share, locals marvelling at a transformed Lake Brunner.
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