Snow has fallen down to sea level in Christchurch and Dunedin is covered in white after the polar front hit the motu.  
Metservice has warned the freezing temperatures could cause stress for livestock, putting pressure on farmers to make sure their animals are safe.
David Acland's mid-Canterbury farm had a two-and-a-half centimetre coating of snow yesterday.
He says the snow hasn't been too much of an issue for his stock, but the wind chill is a worry.