At 8am yesterday, no region below the North Island's Central Plateau was warmer than 2degC.
Snow driven by a cold southerly fell from the southern tip of the South Island to the Waikato, including unusual spots such as Nelson, Palmerston North and the Kaimai Ranges near Tauranga.
In the morning, snow blanketed Christchurch, shut all major South Island airports and cut main highways aroundDunedin, Christchurch and Queenstown.
Later in the day, the cold air had moved further north, creating snow flurries in Wellington, with snowflakes even seen drifting on to Lambton Quay.
MetService reported that Greytown, in the Wairarapa, had its first snow in 70 years.
Christchurch had the heaviest snowfalls, with drops of 30cm and 15cm disrupting electricity, transport, health and education services.
Christchurch lines company Orion last night said it had restored power to all but about 50 customers in Christchurch and central Canterbury after the snowstorm cut power to about 2000 customers in parts of the city and rural areas.
Niwa climate scientist Georgina Griffiths said Banks Peninsula recorded its coldest July day yesterday, with a minimum temperature of -1.2degC.
Greymouth nearly broke its July record when the temperature fell to -2degC.
One weather station in Auckland, at Whangaparaoa, dropped to 4.5degC. Dr Griffiths noted that the last time it snowed in Auckland, in June 1976, the temperature was between 4degC and 5degC.
Another blast is expected to hit the North Island today but conditions should ease tonight.
