A number of roads in the North Island are closed due to snow today.

State Highway 2/Waioeka Gorge, between Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty, is closed due to snow and icy conditions.

The NZ Transport agency says the closure is on the eastern side of the gorge.

'Contractors are monitoring the road however it is not expected to reopen for some time. '

The closure of Waikaremoana Road is due to be reassessed this morning.

Further afield, SH5 from Napier to Taupo is closed, and snow and ice have seen the closure of SH4, from Raetihi to Taumaranui.

SH2, from Wairoa to Gisborne, is also closed due to snow and ice.

Last night police urged motorists to delay all travel on Central North Island road as conditions for driving are poor and risky.

This morning drivers are being asked to check the NZTA website before heading out on the roads.

Manawatu Gorge was closed last night due to a crash involving a tanker carrying blood.

It's reported the tanker hit a rock before leaving the road, says police.

The driver was not injured.

Police say this is one of a number of crashes officers attended throughout the evening.

With current conditions, police are asking motorist not to place themselves or others at risk.

Meanwhile, the current forecast for today is for more snow in the Gisborne and Hawke's Bay areas.

'A bitterly cold southerly flow covers much of the North Island, with sleety showers about eastern areas and snow falling to 200 metres,” says the MetService.

'The showers are forecast to ease on Friday, with the snow level slowly lifting.”

The heaviest snow was expected about northern Hawke's Bay and southern Gisborne overnight, and a heavy snow warning remains in force until Friday morning.