Wild weather has caused flooding, road and bridge closures and snow to low levels - and MetService warns it is not over yet.
Clockwise, from top left: Wild weather forced the Auckland Harbour Bridge to close, cut off the small town of Ngakawau, created swells at Auckland's Piha beach and brought snow to many places in the South Island, including Buller. Photo: RNZ/SUPPLIED
It was a cold, wet day for much of the country today, with the lower North Island hit by thunderstorms, gales and downpours, while snow fell in low areas in the South Island.
MetService said while the weather would gradually ease, more wind, snow, rain and thunderstorms are expected.
Some roads were forced to close today due to slips, flooding and fallen trees. In the South Island, snow closed all the major alpine passes - Lewis, Lindis, Haast and Burkes and Arthur's - and SH94 from Te Anau to Milford. Many roads remained closed this evening.
Check Waka Kotahi's website for a full list of closures
About a dozen schools were also forced to shut in Wānaka, Glenorchy, Hawea, Paremata in Wellington and north of Feilding.
Pockets of Auckland remain without power after thunderstorms hit the city today.
Auckland Harbour Bridge closed three times due to high winds. Photo: Twitter / Waka Kotahi
The Auckland Harbour Bridge was forced to close three times due to high winds, and reopened this afternoon with speed restrictions and lane closures in place.
Waikanae residents cut off from homes
Meanwhile, in Waikanae - locals were cleaning up after two tornadoes struck yesterday, just a few days after six hit the area, damaging homes.
Some Waikanae residents also won't be making it home tonight after the local council closed their road.
Damage caused by a tornado in Waikanae. Photo:
Wild weather has severely damaged a number of 10 to 15 metre-high trees, forcing Reikorangi Road to close.
The trees damaged power poles and threatened vehicles below.
Around 200 homes in the area have been without power since 8.30pm on Sunday night.
Kāpiti Coast District Council said contractors were working to clear the trees today but had to stop when the wind picked up.
The council said it was looking at options for people who need to return home tonight because of dependants, but this could involve walking around the road in order to bypass high-risk areas.
It said it was finding out how many residents were affected by the closure and was asking those who are not already home to stay the night with friends or family.
More wild weather expected for Horizons
Horizons Regional Council will be keeping emergency management staff on duty overnight, as more wild weather is expected to lash the area.
The council said river catchments are now very full, and, with similar weather forecast overnight and tomorrow morning, some rivers may peak again.
It deployed flood barriers at Foxton Beach and at Kowhai Park in Whanganui.
The Moutoa floodgates on the Manawatū river are scheduled to operate at about midnight, while the Makino floodgates will stay closed.
Conditions in Buller expected to ease
A change in the direction of weather patterns over the West Coast may see conditions ease earlier than anticipated.
The northern Buller region has been lashed by waves, high winds and squally rain, with an Emergency Operations Centre set up this afternoon.
Conditions in Buller are expected to ease earlier than expected. Photo: Supplied / Buller District Emergency Management
Buller Mayor Jamie Cleine said this morning's swell spewed timber, rocks and plants up to people's door steps.
Cleine said officials are still concerned about a seven metre peak swell forecast tonight, especially with water already on people's properties.