Polar blast causes chaos in Central North Island

At least 6,000 homes in the Central North Island are still without power, and the main roads through the region are closed, with another dumping of snow expected to cause more problems. In the Ruapehu District the roads are still very dangerous and the power situation is patchy. All of the State Highways around the volcanic plateau remain closed and there are power outages in several towns and settlements including Waiouru and Taihape. Meanwhile, half a metre of snow has fallen on Turoa ski-field over the past 24 hours and its blizzard conditions there again. Alan Proud farms in the Ohakune area and his farm is still without power. He says it's the worst storm he can remember.