People are beginning to be transported back to their vehicles after being forced to abandon them on Sunday due to heavy snow on the Napier - Taupo Highway.
Twenty five cars remain on the Napier end of the road.
One hundred and sixty one cars are still on the Taupo end and their owners are being bused to Rangitaiki and then taken the rest of the way by Army vehicles.
Police say the road is expected to fully reopen at about 3pm on Tuesday.
The Desert Road remains closed. State Highway 38 between Frasertown - Tuai in northern Hawke's Bay is also shut.
