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A Civil Defence Emergency is being dealt with after a heavy dumping of snow that has trapped hundreds of motorists in the central North Island.
State Highway Two, between Napier and Taupo, has been closed by heavy snow but it's believed up to 200 vehicles are trapped.
Most cars are believed to have stopped because of snow and ice at Waipunga, about half-way between Napier and Taupo.
At this stage 150 people have made their way to the Te Pohue Hotel and another 60 are at the Te Pohue Hall.
Police, the Army and Civil Defence have activated and the army is sending in Unimogs to get people to buses waiting at a safe point on the road.
Hastings Civil Defence controller Mike Maguire says people still in their vehicles needs to stay in their vehicles.
"People need to stay where they are and stay as warm as possible," Maguire says.
"When they hear or see army vehicles approaching they need to flash their lights so they can be seen.
Maguire says there are reports this is the heaviest snow the area has seen in 25 years.
A welfare centre has been set up at Hukerere Girls College at Eskdale.
Red Cross and the Salvation Army are currently gathering there to make sure evacuees are warm and feed.
One motorist, returning with four passengers from the David Tua- Shane Cameron boxing match at Mystery Creek in the Waikato, says hundreds of cars are trapped.
The New Zealand Transport Agency says the road from Napier to Taupo will remain closed overnight, and it is hoped it will reopen on Monday.
Police central communications Inspector Kirsty Henson says about 120 cars are stuck on State Highway 1 between Waiouru and the Three Sisters.
Police are organising evacuation of the people trapped in the cars and will return them to their vehicles on Sunday, she says.
Snow had also closed SH49 between Ohakune and Waiouru, and SH47 at Turangi, she says.
The MetService has issued heavy snow warnings for the central North Island high country, from the Tongariro National Park and the hills and ranges of Hawkes Bay.
"Snow is expected down to 400m, with heavy falls through to (tomorrow) morning, especially above 600m," forecaster Andy Downs says.
A heavy rain warning is also in place for the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.
East of Whakatane, rain should ease early Monday, with 50-70mm of rain expected to fall until then, he says.
Heavy rain is expected in Gisborne until Monday morning, easing by evening.
Click here to stay up to date with the latest weather news and information on road conditions.
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