KEY POINTS:
The icy blast sweeping up the country moved to the North Island today, causing traffic chaos and more road closures.
As well as affecting the usual central North Island roads, police were reporting extremely hazardous driving conditions in the Wanganui and Manawatu areas.
A spokeswoman from the Hawera police said State Highway 3 southeast of the town was closed for about two hours because a hail storm made it too treacherous to drive on.
She said motorists heading up an incline near Manutahi at one stage found themselves sliding backwards on the icy road.
While some were turned back by police, about 20 others were stranded until the road was cleared by machinery.
Meanwhile, Inspector Paul Jermy of police central communications said there were multiple crashes today in the National Park area, including one at Erua on SH4 involving nine vehicles.
While there were no reported injuries, Mr Jermy advised against all non-essential travel and said those using the roads needed to keep a safe distance behind each other.
Among the roads closed in the North Island because of snow were the Napier-Taihape Rd, along with SH49 between Waiouru and Ohakune, while ice also forced the closure of SH1 between Rangipo and Waiouru.
Police urged motorists to be cautious on many other roads in the Wanganui, Taranaki and central North Island regions.
Snow in the Christchurch area also forced the closure today of the main road to Akaroa.
Bus operator Leopard Coachlines said it had closed all its services, while Red Bus and CBS were limiting their services to flat areas.
Several other roads in the central South Island which were closed yesterday remained closed today and chains were required on some Otago roads after the region was battered by the southerlies yesterday.
The MetService said snow, gales and rain were expected to affect much of the North Island, as well as Marlborough and Canterbury, overnight and clear throughout tomorrow.
Rain in the Manawatu area led to the abandonment today of the Marton Jockey Club's race meeting at Awapuni in Palmerston North.
- NZPA
