Weather: Icy front brings freezing temperatures to New Zealand overnight

Another freezing night is in store for New Zealand as an icy-cold front sweeps across the country.

MetService meteorologist Surprise Mhlongo said temperatures will be lowest in Wānaka and Queenstown, with both towns expecting -1C.

Blenheim and Milford face 0C, while Christchurch will sit at 3C.

Feeling the coldest you have felt this year? ❄️Some areas have seen temperatures plummet to their lowest on record for 2025. While temperatures are expected to rise slightly overnight, it will still be a cold night for much of the country 🌙 pic.twitter.com/04UYQDhDcK

— MetService (@MetService) June 8, 2025

In the North Island, the lowest temperatures were forecast for Taupō at 0C.

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Snow could be expected at higher altitudes.

Other North Island cities are in for a slightly warmer night with 9C forecast for Auckland, 4C for Hamilton and 6C for Wellington.

Over the next two days, Mhlongo said Wānaka, Queenstown, Blenheim and Milford could expect to have the country’s lowest temperatures.

“The lower half of the South Island is going to have the coldest nights.”

Tekapo was blanketed in snow after a polar blast swept through the resort town. Freezing temperatures kept roads closed and the community isolated. Photo / Natalie Townsend

Mhlongo said the cold snap was expected to continue through Monday and Tuesday, especially overnight.

Both Wānaka and Queenstown’s temperatures are expected to drop to -2C on Monday night to Tuesday morning.

After that, Mhlongo said temperatures would “remain cold”.

“It’s not going to change a lot.”

The news comes after parts of New Zealand awoke today to the coldest day so far this year.

Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch all had their coldest mornings at 4.5C, 2.9C and -2.8C.

The alpine village of Aoraki/Mt Cook recorded a temperature of -10C and locals say the area got as low as -13C overnight.

Earlier today, MetService issued road snowfall warnings for Porters Pass and the Crown Range Rd.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) system manager Mark Pinner said cold temperatures created risks of frost and ice on the roads.

⚠️More snowfall is still on the cards for some places in Canterbury and Otago. Road Snowfall Warnings have been issued for Porters Pass (SH73) and Crown Range Road. 3 to 4 cm may accumulate above 800 metres in Porters Pass, with lesser amounts down to 500 metres.

🔗Find all the… pic.twitter.com/TbdX8Wsdiu

— MetService (@MetService) June 8, 2025

“Make sure that if you are driving in these conditions, that you adjust your speeds and following distances accordingly,” Pinner said.

“If you can avoid or delay travel on roads while there is elevated risk, that’s sensible.”

Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and the Bay of Plenty Times.