After a three-day battle against the worst weather that winter can bring, there is some reprieve on the cards for New Zealand. In what was described as the 'Wellington Wind Fight' was certainly no understatement. As the deep low tracked over the lower half of the North Island it brought the howling wind and pouring rain with it. Winds reached 167km/h at Mount Kaukau, Karori Rock saw a gust of 130km/h and Wellington Airport picked up a 109km/h gust. Auckland has seen gusts of 82km/h. Torrential rain accompanied the strong winds, with Wainuioma Reservoir recording over 200mm. Wellington city picked up a solid 50-70mm during Thursday with extensive flooding also recorded near Masterton. Aside from landslides and fallen trees, snow covered and icy roads created havoc for trucks and tourists alike. Several severe accidents were attributed to the appalling road conditions. Highways across the North Island’s Central Plateau have just begun to re-open after authorities deemed them unsafe. Despite the chaos caused however the snow was certainly a positive for the ski bunnies, with 67cm of fresh snow recorded at Mt Hutt. Today is the final hurrah for this system which is affecting the Bay Of Plenty, Taupo, Gisbourne and Hawkes Bay. Heavy snow, heavy rain and gales are a risk, with conditions likely to ease this evening. Over the weekend, the South Island can expect another cool but settled day on Saturday before a cold front and low brings rain to the west during Sunday. For the North Island apart from some light showers in the east, conditions will help the clean up, with the rain set to coincide with the beginning of the working week.