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Snow is making for hazardous driving in parts of the central South Island.
The dumping has affected alpine passes and closed some ski fields.
Work crews were out preparing drivers for the treacherous roads and because of their hard work, most highways continued to remain open on Thursday.
With the snow coming down thick and fast, the road conditions were all the more treacherous.
Transit NZ is urging all vehicles travelling through the mountain passes to carry chains.
The dumping came overnight Wednesday, with snow as low as 400 metres above sea level.
The powder is expected in the central South Island through to Saturday.
The wheels were still though turning on farms, feeding stock crucial to keeping them warm.
Some major ski fields were also closed, with the roads to them just too dangerous.
In central Otago, Cardrona was open but the white out took the edge off.
Drier shoes would have been nice in parts of Christchurch, which didn't get snow but rivers were filling up.
Authorities have already closed off some waterside walkways.
Meanwhile in the North Island, heavy rain and gale force winds also caused delays to motorists after slips caused the closure of the Manawatu Gorge, and brought traffic on State Highway One to a snail pace around the Kapiti Coast.
Buses replaced trains between Wellington and Ngaio on Thursday morning following a minor derailment on the Johnsonville rail line on Wednesday night. The derailment was caused by a slip near the Ngaio Station. There were around 50 passengers on the train but no one was hurt.
For up to date weather reports in your region go to the ONE News weather page.
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