Many schools are closed by the snow. They have been told by the Ministry of Education that it is up to them to decide whether to open.
Dunedin schools are closed for a second day because of the weather.
The closure is for all kindergarten, primary, intermediate and secondary schools.
The Dunedin Primary School Association says many staff and students can't reach school safely.
The association says they are likely to re-open on Wednesday.
A number of schools in Wellington are disrupted for a second day.
All schools in the suburb of Karori are closed and both Newlands College and Rewa Rewa School are closed.
Many schools in both Upper and Lower Hutt are also shut.
Wellington Girls College says hundreds of students have called in absent and Wellington College says about 150 students were unable to make it in due to the icy road conditions.
All kindergartens in Wellington south of Pukerua Bay are closed for the day, due to storm warnings.
The Wellington Kindergarten Association says that includes Petone, Petone Beach and East Harbour kindergartens.
Kindergartens along the Kapiti Coast are open, but families may be asked to pick their children up early if the weather starts to deteriorate further.
Icy roads earlier forced the closure of Wadestown Primary school in Wellington.
The school operates on two sites. Principal Sally Barrett says it's just too dangerous for pupils to get to school on the icy roads.
Double blow for students
The Secondary Principals Association says the weather is a double blow for Canterbury students, who have already lost weeks of school time due to the earthquakes.
President Patrick Walsh says term three is already very short and NCEA exams are looming.
He says senior students are missing out on important learning time while schools are closed.
Mr Walsh says students must avoid the temptation to play in the snow and stay focussed on preparing for their exams.
