KEY POINTS:
More than 100 South Island homes that were left shivering with no power after the first wintery blast this season have now been reconnected.
A sudden snow dump on Thursday night snapped powerlines and high winds tore out power poles.
Just over 130 houses were affected by the power cut, with some Otago homes in the dark from 1.15am Friday until 4.30pm yesterday.
Powernet assistant system control manager Roy Duffin told NZPA power had been completely restored after linesmen worked non-stop through Friday and Saturday.
"Line crews put in some big hours to get them back on -- they did a very good job."
Sunny weather was forecast until Tuesday, and even though it was still cold, Mr Duffin said no more power problems were expected in that time.
Meanwhile farmers in the drought stricken East Coast and Hawke's Bay will be welcoming heavy rain predicted to fall for the next two days.
The MetService has forecast rain to cover the Coromandel Peninsula ranges and western Bay of Plenty from tonight through to late tomorrow.
And rain will make its way to relieve parched Gisborne and Hawke's Bay lands during tomorrow and early Tuesday.
- NZPA
