Huge swells are hitting the West Coast, with more expected on Friday night, while in Central Otago motorists were forced off the road as thick snow fell fast.
- Weather: Wild, cold, windy weekend on the way
- Blast of strong winds, hail, snow to strike New Zealand
A dangerous weather combination will be on the West Coast for the next few days, with popular coastline locations taped off, and the beach out of bounds for tourists as residents brace for the impact of the storm.
Further north at Westport, there are concerns the king tides could expose a toxic, historic landfill.
"There is some domestic waste involved in it but this is contaminated industrial waste," Buller District Mayor Garry Howard told Newshub. "You can't just let this thing go out to sea."
Further south in Central Otago, snow is setting in - some welcoming the magic of the polar blast.
"I think we timed it perfectly with the weather," Australian tourist Steven Warren said.
More snow is predicted to fall to low levels in Otago and Southland at the weekend.
Newshub.
