Wild weather is moving up the country with a cold blast bringing heavy rain, gales and snow to low levels across Te Waipounamu the South Island on Thursday.
Winds reached 140 kilometres per hour Thursday morning, downing trees and cutting power for more than 2,000 households in North Canterbury.
State Highway One near Waipara is closed due to a large truck being blown over.
A number of businesses in Hanmer Springs haven't been able to open without power, and the council has shut all walking and biking tracks for the day.
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa operations manager Bobby Harpur spoke to Charlie Dreaver.
