Snow and more cold set to sweep over country

Mt Ruapehu's Whakapapa skifield experienced heavy snowfalls for most of yesterday. Picture / Mike Smith

Mt Ruapehu was coated by snow yesterday as the North Island got its first taste of winter.

A slow-moving low-pressure system also brought a chilly and wet southerly flow to the South Island from midnight yesterday, with surface flooding in Christchurch after 67mm of rain fell about the hills.

Aucklanders shivered in blustery winds and squally showers, but ski staff were rubbing their hands with glee rather than from the cold.

"It looks like the season opening will be a real good one," said Ruapehu Alpine Lifts marketing man Mike Smith.

Snow fell heavily for most of the day after heavy falls overnight, the winter's first big dump of the season.

Staff estimated at least 50cm of snow on the upper slopes and 20cm at the base of the mountain.

Mr Smith said snowmakers would begin work next week for the season opening on June 16.

Last year, the first big fall was in early June, he said, but it wasn't possible to bring this year's season forward because 700 staff, some from overseas, had to arrive first.

Temperatures in Auckland were a relatively mild 14C, but it felt much chillier. "With lots of showers and wind around and no sun, it feels a lot colder," said MetService forecaster Gerard Bellam.

Gales were reported on the Kaikoura coast and Cook Strait, and strong winds in the Hauraki Gulf cancelled ferry company Kawau Kat's Coromandel sailing.

Rivers rose swiftly and streets were flooded in Christchurch in the morning, but a low tide meant no serious incidents, said Christchurch City Council spokesman Bryn Somerville.

Mr Bellam said the low had moved east towards the Chatham Islands by yesterday afternoon, and today a slim ridge of high pressure would briefly make its presence felt until things deteriorated again.

Tomorrow morning a fast cold front is forecast to sweep up the country, arriving near Auckland by afternoon and bringing a cold southwesterly change with more showers and cold, unsettled weather, he said.

Snow could fall to 600m in the South Island.

Mr Bellam said a high-pressure system in the Tasman Sea was not expected to reach New Zealand until next week.