Wild weather has hit the country overnight, with blizzard-like conditions leading to a mass power outage and weather warnings put in place.

There are severe weather warnings over over Hawke's Bay, eastern Taihape and the eastern ranges of Taupo, which is forecast for significant heavy snow and blizzard conditions, the MetService said.

"In these places a further 50 to 80cm of snow could accumulate above 700m on top of what has already fallen - and snow drifts in excess of 1m are possible. Expect lesser amounts of snow down to 300m,'' the warning said.

A large chunk of the North Island lost electricity about 10am, with reports the black-out stretched from Hawke's Bay to East Cape.

Just before 11.30am, a Transpower spokeswoman said power in the Hawke's Bay region - Napier, Hastings, Wairoa and Gisborne - had been restored.

However, people in those places were being warned to prepare for outages over the next few hours and later tonight due to heavy snow on the transmission lines in the area.

The spokeswoman said just before 11am today: "We are trying to keep power on in the region however weather conditions are making it difficult to gain physical access to the lines."

Hawke's Bay Hospital is operating on generator power and says everyone is safe. However, the hospital is appealing to the public to please leave the Emergency Department for emergencies only until power is fully restored in Hawke's Bay.

Lines company Unison Network says there are 25 power outages in Hastings and 22 in Napier as strong winds and rain buffets the region.

It is working with Transpower to keep electricity on in the region, especially given there was a high risk of another mass outage at some point.

"There is a chance this may happen again, as well as weather-related outages impacting the Unison Network.''

People were also warned to always treat powerlines as live.

Heavy rain is forecast over lower lying areas of the Hawke's Bay region today and overnight. And the heavy snow fall on the Kaikoura hills and ranges is set to ease later this evening.

The MetService said: "Heavy snow can cause major distruption to transport as well as significant stress to livestock, and could damage powerlines. Blizzard conditions are also likely in the ranges of the central North Island. Heavy rain has the potential to cause rivers and streams to rise rapidly, and may produce slips and surface flooding."

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Hope your all be safe and ok