Further heavy rain is expected to fall on the storm-battered North Island over the next 24 hours but a strong wind warning has been lifted.
Heavy rain caused slips and flooding resulting in a number of central North Island road closures overnight.
The MetService said today rain would be heaviest in the Coromandel Peninsula, western Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay today and tomorrow, while heavy rain in the Wairarapa and central North Island high country was easing this morning.
Strong winds were expected in the central North Island down to the Tararua Ranges but would not reach severe gale force as previously expected.
Snow was likely above 800 metres in the central North Island high country and Hawke's Bay.
Heavy snowfall warnings for Hawke's Bay and eastern Taihape had been lifted.
Motorists were warned to take extreme care travelling between Invercargill and Winton due to ice on the road.
State Highway 4 was closed from Wanganui River Road to Raetihi following a major slip.
Traffic was being diverted through SH1, police said.
Shortly after midnight police said SH57 had flooded between Palmerston North and Linton.
Rain also caused slips in the Manawatu Gorge and contractors were called in to keep the road open.
In the South Island SH8 was closed between Fairlie and Lake Tekapo due to snow. Motorists were also advised to use chains when travelling on SH73 near Arthurs Pass.
