Freezing temperatures hit much of the country, trains suspended in Wellington

12:00 pm on 14 July 2021

Much of the country shivered in frosty early morning weather, with icy conditons halting train services on the Kāpiti line into Wellington.

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Trains at Wellington railway station (file). Photo: RNZ / Paloma Migone

Multiple trains were waiting to leave Waikanae for Wellington early today but could not get through because of the conditions.

Trains were running to timetable again later in the morning, Metlink said.

Temperatures had dropped in the region overnight with Paraparaumu recording -1C at 7am.

Most of the country was at or near freezing and MetService urged drivers to watch out for ice.

St Arnaud was the the coldest spot on -7.8C.

Christchurch, where temperatures plunged to -4C this morning, drivers are being urged to take care.

Christchurch City Council said there was ice on roads that would not normally be affected.