There are fears fruit and vegetable crops in and around Motueka have been badly damaged by a hailstorm that struck the area late this afternoon.
A threatening sky in the Tasman district in the early evening. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
Dawn Neal from Motueka told RNZ: "We had a pretty amazing half hour or so and in that time, many people have had their crops destroyed."
Her daughter's "massive and beautiful garden" at Upper Moutere has been left in shreds.
"We quite often get these wintry storms around this time of year," Neal said.
It is believed a tornado has caused significant damage to a glasshouse in Motueka.
The sky over Nelson earlier today. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
Earlier this afternoon a severe thunderstorm watch was issued for the region, with forecasts of localised showers and hail.
MetService says scattered thunderstorms affected parts of the Tasman district.
It was predicting that the thunderstorms would be severe west of Mapua with heavy rain that could cause surface flooding and slips.
It also said the hail would make driving hazardous and could damage crops, orchards, vines and glasshouses.
Snow hits in parts of Central Otago
Snow has also fallen today over the Ranges west of Wanaka, the Remarkables and on mountains near Glenorchy.
Colder than average temperatures are being felt across many parts of the mainland today.
MetService says things are looking more unsettled than usual for this time of the year with eastern areas not making it out of the early teens.
At this stage the inclement weather is looking like it could continue for the South Island on New Year's Eve.
However, the outlook is much more settled in the North Island.