WEATHER LATEST
* Go slow on Auckland's Harbour Bridge as strong wind gusts sweep through Super City
* Snowfall in Dunedin and flurries in Wellington - some roads closed by snow and ice
* Polar blast sweeps north - Desert Rd in North Island closed
* October snow in Christchurch for the first time in 53 years
* Auckland feels the chill - with single-digit early morning temperatures and rain, winds forecast

An icy blast is making its way up the North Island, spreading snow flurries north of Wellington and icy falls in Taranaki.

Christchurch experienced its first October snowfall in more than 50 years, while the sea-level suburb of Kilbirnie in Wellington got a dusting of snow.

Snow flurries have also been reported further north in Wellington, with the Remutaka Hill Rd affected.

Auckland hit an unseasonably chilly 11.5C by mid-morning and won't get much warmer, with a high of only 13C forecast. Strong winds have reduced speeds on Auckland's Harbour Bridge.

The temperature in Wellington was 4.2C by 8.30am, but had a "feels like" temperature of -1C and locals were advised to wear up to four layers of clothing.

Those in the capital can expect a partly cloudy day with possible morning snow showers mainly about the eastern hills. Cold southerly winds are also forecast and will be strong at first, MetService says.

The Desert Rd in the central North Island is closed, one of a number of state highways and other roads that have been affected by the freezing temperatures and snow.

Snow on a Christchurch playground. Photo / Hamish Clark

• Snow warnings in place across South Island as cold blast sweeps up country
• Weather: Polar blast bringing freezing temperatures and snow to many places across New Zealand

The polar blast is causing unseasonal, single-digit temperatures across the South Island and into the North Island today - including Auckland, where the temperature in some parts of the city was 9C at 7am.

The city is forecast to have showers and strong winds in some places and a high of 13C today.

The coldest place in the country early this morning was Te Ānau, where it was a bone-chilling -5.1C.

At least one area broke a record overnight. The temperature at Wānaka Airport dropped to -3C last night - the coldest October minimum temperature since records started in 1992.