KEY POINTS:
Snow and sleet has tonight closed the Rimutaka Hill Road between Upper Hutt and Wairarapa.
The road was closed earlier today but reopened about 1pm.
However, Sergeant Bruce Mackay said motorists were struggling with the dangerous surface and were being escorted down the hill by road works staff.
"Also, a truck and trailer has jack-knifed causing further issues," Mr Mackay said.
Snow was also likely to fall on the Desert Road until early tomorrow, with up to 3cm expected.
In the South Island, several Christchurch and Banks Peninsula roads remain closed after snow began falling in the area early this morning.
A Christchurch City Council spokesman said care was needed on all roads in the area but that the Christchurch summit road was closed in three places and Okains Bay Road from Duvauchelle to Okains Bay, on Banks Peninsula, had closed.
Tony Stuart, who lives on the Cashmere Hills, said it was cold, white and Christchurch people were tired of winter.
"I have had a bloody gutsful of the weather," he said.
- NZPA
