Seven people were injured in separate crashes on a highway near Tekapo this morning, as icy conditions cause problems for motorists in the South.
State Highway 8 between Tekapo and Twizel was closed after a spate of accidents owing to ''severe ice''. The road has reopened, but caution is advised.
A man with and a woman with serious and moderate injuries respectively were flown to Christchurch Hospital when their car came off the road at 8.15am.
Just under an hour later a second car rolled on the same stretch of road, prompting the closure.
A St John spokesman said five people in the car sustained minor injuries and were treated by staff at the scene.
A police spokeswoman said icy conditions had left the road treacherous, and motorists were struggling to keep traction.
There had been several minor accidents along the 55km stretch of highway and those who had managed to get through described the journey as extremely difficult.
The NZTA also warned of ice on SH1 at Waianakarua and SH6 between Hawea and Makarora.
Police said roads around Dunedin were icy in parts, and there were some foggy patches.
Temperatures in the region were well below 0degC in many places, Omakau recording -8 around 5.45am and Dunedin Airport -7, the MetService website showed
The Otago Regional Council said that owing to to ice the Concord to city bus would not be travelling down London St until 11.30am, and the Pine Hill service would not be travelling along the Dalmore Loop section of the run until 10am.
Police urged motorists to watch their following distances and drive to the conditions.
