Snow closes New Zealand North Island highways

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The road through Waiouru on the evening of May 28.(Stuff.co.nz/ Glenn Watson)

Main roads in New Zealand's central North Island remain closed on Wednesday due to snow in the second day of a cold snap that has moved up the country.

The Desert Road (State Highway 1) between Rangipo and Waiouru and the alternative State Highway 4 are closed due to snow on Wednesday morning.

A crash involving two trucks south of Taumaranui added to the problems on State Highway 4, and lifting equipment was being brought in to remove the vehicles. No one was injured in the collision, Radio New Zeaalnd reported.

The Rimutaka Hill Road (State Highway 2) between Wellington and Wairarapa reopened at 8 a.m. after being closed because of ice.

MetService said light snow showers from Wairarapa to National Park would ease on Wednesday and temperatures would slowly rise.

Overnight on Tuesday, hundreds of homes west and north of Auckland were without power because of heavy rain and wind, but lines company Vector said most were reconnected by morning.

In the South Island, the Milford Road (State Highway 94) is closed at the Homer Tunnel for rock face stabilisation, while the section between Mossburn and Te Anau is under caution for snow, with no towing from Centre Hill To Gorge Hill, and all vehicles must carry chains.

On other main roads, State Highway 1 Dunedin To Waitati is open but six high roads in Dunedin including Three Mile Hill, Blueskin and Mount Cargill Roads are still closed.

People driving though the alpine passes are advised to carry chains and to watch out for ice and grit. Police are advising motorists to check the New Zealand Transport Agency website for all roading updates and closures.

Queenstown, Dunedin and Christchurch airports are all operating normally.