The big freeze brings a sub-zero 24 hours for TekapoGEORGE EMPSON Snow in Tekapo on Thursday from the Tekapo footbridge with the Church of the Good Shepherd in the background. Temperatures across the South Island dived well below zero overnight and at least one town has stayed that way for more than 24 hours. PENNI CUSHMAN Snow in Tekapo will struggle to melt as the town fails to get above 0 degrees Celsius in the past 24 hours. "In terms of coldest temperatures ever, excluding the fact that it was in July ... -5.6C is the joint 22nd coldest temperature Christchurch has had." Aucklanders were also thawing out from their coldest night so far this year.

Source: Stuff July 29, 2017 22:18 UTC