People planning to venture into the backcountry are urged to take care after overnight snowfall in the South Island.
Aoraki/Mt Cook Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton
An alert for dangerous avalanche conditions is in place for high alpine areas of Aoraki/Mt Cook after up to 30 centimetres of new snow fell overnight.
Avalanches large enough to injure, bury or kill a person have been sighted at the national park earlier this week.
Arthur's Pass has a similar alert for high alpine areas.
A moderate risk of avalanches has been issued in high alpine areas in Wanaka, Fiordland and Nelson Lakes, and alpine areas at Arthur's Pass, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Tongariro.