Here's the day's weather in pictures - from Ohakune's giant carrot, dipped in snow, to waves slapping at the window of a train on the Hutt Valley Line.
Keep up with RNZ's live updates here and check our summary of what you need to know.
Ohakune's town sign and famous carrot covered in snow after the mid-July storm swept through. Photo: Facebook / TCB Ohakune
Guests play in the snow outside a lodge near the Tongariro Crossing. Photo: Twitter / @LouisvanWyk
Strong waves batter the coast at Houghton Bay in Wellington on Thursday. Photo: RNZ / Caitlin Cherry
The police maritime unit took the opportunity to do rough weather training in Wellington Harbour on Wednesday. Photo: NZ Police
Snow in Manawatu cut power to thousands of homes on Thursday. Photo: Manawatu District Council
The start of the Desert Road at Waiouru was barely visible on Thursday. Photo: NZTA
The view from the train window on the Hutt Valley Line into Wellington. Photo: @kelvinking_nz
Waves at another stretch of Wellington's south coast on Thursday. Photo: Twitter / @FiNZ63
No surfers braved the waves at Lyall Bay, Wellington on Thursday. Photo: RNZ / Adriana Weber
Grey-out conditions on SH1, the coast road, near Paekakariki on Thursday. Photo: NZTA
Snow flurries continued overnight in Hanmer. Photo: @Deepsouthster
Snow in the Canterbury high country on Wednesday. Photo: Brando Yelavich @wildboy_adventures
The Hutt River was running high on Thursday. Photo: RNZ / Paloma Migone
Another shot of the swollen river, courtesy of RNZ's Wellington bureau chief. Photo: RNZ / Paloma Migone
The Waiau-Mt Lyford inland road in Canterbury was closed by snow. Photo: NZTA
Work under way to clear the inland road on Thursday. Photo: NZTA
Ohakune Railway Station. Photo: RNZ / Sharon Brettkelly
Snow in Ohakune. Photo: RNZ / Sharon Brettkelly
Police in the Manawatu town of Kimbolton have been cooking breakfast for snowed-in residents. Photo: Facebook / Manawatu District Council
Another shot of snow at Ohakune on Thurday. Photo: Facebook / TCB Ohakune
Kids play in the snow in Ohakune. Photo: RNZ / Sharon Brettkelly
