Heavy rain warnings cover the Westland, Canterbury, Otago and Fiordland regions.

AA Travel survey shows Australia and the Pacific Islands top Kiwis’ holiday plans.

Torrential rain, heavy snowfall and gale-force winds will kick in for parts of the country as school holidays start, but worse still could be on the cards.

Heavy rain warnings cover the Westland, Canterbury, Otago and Fiordland regions.

Eastern Rangitaiki plunged to -5.3C overnight as frosts gripped the North Island.