Rescue services evacuated 668 travellers who were trapped on the Napier-Taupo Rd by snow that reached up to a metre high overnight.
A state of emergency was declared in Taupo after heavy snow left trapped dozens of people in their vehicles on State Highway 5 through the night.
Police said 368 travellers were rescued from the Napier side of the highway with another 300 evacuated to Taupo.
The last bus load of cold and tired travellers were rescued by 9am from the Taupo side of the road and were resting at the Taupo Events Centre before being sent to a local marae.
Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper drove one of the evacuation buses and was now visiting the welfare centres.
Efforts were now being turned towards feeding the rescued people.
Napier Area commander Inspector Kevin Kalff said the priority was the welfare of those stranded.
"We are working to get drivers back to their vehicles as soon as practicable. But a lot will depend on weather conditions and the state of the road," he said.
There were no concerns for the welfare of anyone stranded or rescued.
Those who had been rescued were either taken to the Tarawera Tavern, the Summit Kiosk or the Te Pohue Hotel. Some motorists had been picked up by family and friends.
Hukarere Girls College at Eskdale, north of Napier, was also acting as a centre for those evacuated.
Mr Kalff said there had been great support from the businesses along the Napier-Taupo Rd who had taken the evacuees and from organisations such as four-wheel drive clubs.
Hastings District Council had established a public inquiry number through its main number phone number 06 871 5000 for people wanting to find out if their family members were safe.
Taupo's Emergency Operations Centre had also organised a phone inquiry number -- 0800 275 832 .
Police were asking all drivers who had to abandon their cars last night and went to Napier to report back to Hukerere Girls College at 10am so the road could be cleared of vehicles.
Meanwhile, State Highway 1 at the Desert Road has been closed since yesterday afternoon and snow continued to fall in the area this morning.
A heavy rain warning also remained in place for the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay.
