
A powerful polar blast brought snow to low altitudes across New Zealand today, closing roads and schools and disrupting ferry services as authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
Snow fell in parts of the South Island as a cold weather system swept across the country, the New Zealand Herald reported.
Police urged residents in the southern city of Dunedin to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary due to snow and icy road conditions.
Snowfall warnings have been issued for several major roads.
The severe weather disrupted education, with all Dunedin primary and secondary schools and kindergartens between Mosgiel, Port Chalmers and Waikouaiti closed for the day. East Otago High School in Palmerston was also closed.
Conditions in Cook Strait, which separates New Zealand's north and south islands, worsened as strong winds swept through the area.
Four Interislander sailings between Wellington and Picton were cancelled while Bluebridge cancelled all six of its crossings today and two early Wednesday services.
MetService issued a strong warning for the Wairarapa coast south of Ngawi, predicting waves of up to 6 metres until early Wednesday.