Storms batter North Island as Auckland homes lose power

Stormy weather continues to lash the North Island, with power cuts in Auckland and warnings in place for heavy rain and thunderstorms across several regions.

In Auckland, residents in Northcote Point woke on Friday morning without electricity after a rough night of rain and thunder.

Energy company Vector reported a power outage around 6.30am, with crews working to restore the supply. Power was expected to be back on by late morning.

MetService says the unsettled weather is far from over. Thunderstorms, heavy rain and local downpours are forecast to soak parts of the North Island throughout the day.

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the eastern Bay of Plenty, including Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne.

The storm system was tracked moving south-east from Kawerau and is expected to bring torrential rain to nearby areas through the morning.

Watch a tornado in the Waikato posted on Facebook by Luke Care in Maihiihi below.

Heavy rain warnings are also in force for the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua, with up to 110mm of rain possible on top of what has already fallen.

MetService has also placed Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay under a severe thunderstorm watch.

The latest weather comes after reports of small tornadoes on Thursday evening. One was seen near Ōrewa, just north of Auckland, while another was reported near the Waikato town of Ōtorohanga.

A resident described watching the tornado form quickly and tear through nearby land before heading into the hills and fading away.

Storms earlier on Friday were also reported near Kawerau, Rotoehu, and Lake Tarawera, before moving east-south-east towards areas including Murupara and Galatea.

Authorities are urging people to stay alert, keep an eye on weather updates, and take care on the roads as conditions remain unpredictable.