More than 2000 homes in the lower North Island are still without power and could remain off the grid for several more days, while several major roads remain closed.
The Desert Road remains closed after heavy snowfall this week. Photo: NZTA
Much of New Zealand felt the winter chill this week, with heavy snowfalls in the South Island and the centre of the North Island.
With heavy snow bringing down power lines, more than 10,000 homes had their power knocked out earlier this week, and hundreds are still waiting for the electricity to return.
Lines company PowerCo said while it had made good progress, about 2200, mainly in the Rangitikei region, still have not been reconnected.
The company said there was serious damage in the Central Plateau area, and because many outages were in rural and remote properties it may be several days before power can be restored.
Meanwhile, State Highway 56 near Opiki is closed between Tane Road and Alve Road due to flooding.
The Desert Road remains closed because of snowfall, and State Highway 38 between Wairoa and the Ureweras is also shut due to flooding.