Snowfall at Lake Hayes Estate. Photo: Supplied / Elle McCammon
A heavy dump of snow on the South Island has shut schools, closed roads and cut off power to several thousand people.
Heavy snow warnings remain in place until midday today for Otago and 3pm for Canterbury.
There are reports some areas of Otago already have around 15 centimetres of snow.
Crews have been working to reconnect properties which lost power around central Otago overnight and this morning, and about half have had their electricity restored.
Access to Māniototo is cut off and a number of state highways are closed.
The Transport Agency is warning people to take caution on roads across the Central Otago area due to the snow and icy conditions.
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