Thousands of homes in central Otago are without power, as parts of the South Island wake up to morning snow

Snowfall Warnings are in place for Inland Otago and the Canterbury High Country south of the Rakaia River, and for the South Island mountain passes.

State Highway 85 is closed between Kyeburn to Palmerston, and Milford's Homer Tunnel is also closed.

Rain is battering other parts of the country - particularly Westland.