UPDATED

Widespread frosts, severe in some places, are back in the picture for much of the country tonight.

Temperatures have already fallen to -2 degrees in Central Plateau and Central Otago. 

CURRENT TEMPS:

Auckland is already down to 2.6 degrees, Hamilton on 0.7, Rotorua 0, Taupo -2, Palmerston North 1, Paraparaumu 0, Blenheim 0.7, Christchurch 0.3, Wanaka & Queenstown -2.

WeatherWatch.co.nz advises people with frost sensitive plants (especially in Auckland and Northland where frosts are rare) to place newspapers over the leaves.  For larger areas try turning the sprinkler on and leave it running overnight.

WeatherWatch.co.nz predicts some parts of Auckland will drop as low as -2 tonight, possibly -3 in rural areas around the city – with temperatures as low as -7 or -8 in sheltered parts of Central Otago and Central Plateau.