A cold southerly is set to dump more snow on the Desert Road and bring a chill to much of the country.

The former partner of deceased Napier gunman Jan Molenaar has told a court he bullied her into selling cannabis.

This week's snow storm could have killed up to 200 lambs on each Hawkes Bay hill country farm affected, Federated Farmers says.

Police say the Napier-Taupo highway will stay closed until all of the abandoned cars have been removed.

Two major highways may re-open this afternoon after unseasonal heavy snow in the last two days stranded motorists for two nights.

A High Court decision ordering a financial adviser to pay an elderly widow $250,000 could become a "benchmark" for other claims.

Logan Brown noted for its atmosphere, menu, wine list and service.