The army is tonight rescuing hundreds of motorists trapped in their vehicles after heavy snow closed roads across the central North Island.
Up to 200 vehicles were trapped on Stage Highway 2 between Napier and Taupo, with most cars believed to have stopped because of snow and ice at Waipunga, at about the halfway point.
About 150 people had made their way to the Te Pohue Hotel and a further 60 were at the Te Pohue Hall, Hastings Civil Defence controller Mike Maguire said.
"Police, the army and Civil Defence have activated and the army is sending in Unimogs to get people to buses waiting at a safe point on the road," he said.
He advised those waiting to stay put.
"People need to stay where they are and stay as warm as possible," Mr Maguire said.
"When they hear or see army vehicles approaching they need to flash their lights so they can be seen." A welfare centre has been set up at Hukerere Girls College at Eskdale, and Red Cross and the Salvation Army workers were gathering there to make sure evacuees were warm and feed.
The army also rescued motorists from SH1 near Waiouru.
Police central communications Inspector Kirsty Henson said about 120 cars had been stuck on State Highway 1 between Waiouru and the Three Sisters.
Those rescued would be returned to their vehicles tomorrow, she said.
Snow had also closed SH49 between Ohakune and Waiouru, and SH47 at Turangi, she said.
The MetService issued heavy snow warnings for the central North Island high country, from the Tongariro National Park and the hills and ranges of Hawkes Bay.
"Snow is expected down to 400m, with heavy falls through to (tomorrow) morning, especially above 600m," forecaster Andy Downs said.
A heavy rain warning was also in place for the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.
East of Whakatane, rain should ease early tomorrow, with 50-70mm of rain expected to fall until then, he said.
Heavy rain was expected in Gisborne until tomorrow morning, easing by evening.
