An overnight wintry blast with hundreds of lightning strikes and hurricane-strength winds has left southern alpine skifields coated in a fresh dusting of unseasonal snow and people piling on layers of clothing.
As Mother Nature hits pause on summer, temperatures across the country have dropped up to 10 degrees lower than last week for some places.
Snow has fallen across the Southern Alps with showers laced with hail continuing to fall in western regions across the day.
A number of wind and rain warnings remained in force for the west and south of the South Island, while motorists were advised to take care travelling on the Desert Rd in the central North Island due to strong winds.
