The icy southerly sweeping up the North Island has brought snow to the hills around Waikato and the Bay of Plenty and in some paddocks.

NIWA's latest seasonal outlook predicts temperatures in all regions are likely to be above average from October to December.

Powerco says around 3500 houses in the North Island without power should have the service restored by tonight.

A Rotorua man who admitted assaulting his son has walked free after a judge said he had already punished himself enough.