Central Otago has been blanketed in snow overnight, after a heavy snow warning was issued for the region Sunday night.
A thick layer of snow has settled over Queenstown and Arrowtown, with footage depicting a hauntingly beautiful scene.
Three flights have been cancelled from the South Island because of the weather: two from Christchurch to Queenstown and one from Auckland to Queenstown.
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Queenstown local Leanne Malcolm said she's lost power to her house, and described the snow as "heavy and thick".
"It hasn't stopped," she said, adding that "quite a few people" will be affected by the significant dumping of snow because "it's going to sit heavy on the [power] lines".
"Yesterday we were basking on 20degC here wearing t-shirts and thinking it is great, and this is a real shock and will impact a lot of people."
Some schools have closed for the day, including Wakatipu High School in Frankton, Queenstown.
"They're saying this could carry on for some hours, maybe even till midnight," said Ms Malcolm.
"We're looking at some pretty serious issues today, particularly for livestock and for travellers."
MetService issued a warning Sunday night that heavy snow would blanket Central Otago, Southern Lakes, Southland and Fiordland.
"As expected, snow has started falling in Otago," the weather service tweeted Monday morning.
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