A winter storm is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds and snow to parts of the South Island over the next three days.
The New Zealand Transport Agency said motorists should take extra care on South Island roads, particularly in Canterbury and the West Coast.
Canterbury West Coast Journey Manager Lee Wright said, despite a recent spell of warm days in Canterbury with temperatures above 20°C, winter was not over yet.
Weeks of bad weather including floods have pushed New Zealand's hydro-electric dams from half empty to overflowing, official figures show.
More bad weather is expected this weekend, with snow forecast to low levels in the south and heavy rain likely in central New Zealand.
After a week of wet, cold weather MetService is forecasting a fine, but frosty weekend for the country.
Sheep and cattle find sniff out shelter after severe weather warnings are issued for the hill country between Mohaka and Gisborne.
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