It would have taken a little longer to get out of bed this morning as heavy frosts brought sub-zero temperatures to many parts of the country.
MetService said it was probably the coldest night of the year for the country because a cold air mass followed a clear night.
"The coldest seems to be Mt Cook with -8.4C, which is pretty chilly," meteorologist Richard Finnie said.
Aucklanders also woke to Jack Frost with -0.3C recorded at Whenuapai and 2.9C at Auckland's airport.
"It is probably their coldest night this year," Mr Finnie said.
The temperature at Dunedin Airport plummeted to -7C.
"It's out on the Taieri Plains so they get harder frosts out there than in the city, but even the city's down to 1C in the central city and some of the valleys in Dunedin will be a lot colder than that."
Christchurch, Hamilton and Taupo also reached sub-zero temperatures, he said.
The DCC website this morning advised of widespread frosts and urged motorists to take great care.
The chilly start to the day would lead to a bright day for most places, Mr Finnie said.
"I don't think people will be too cut up about having a frosty morning."
- Rebecca Quilliam of NZME. News Service
