Police said there were reports of powerlines and trees down in the Hauraki District. (File picture) Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
A tornado has taken down powerlines and trees and lifted a roof in the Hauraki District this afternoon.
Fire and Emergency NZ said they were called to a property after a roof blew off a building in Paeroa just before 2pm.
Police said there were reports of powerlines and trees down.
A resident said he saw corrugated iron roofing flying through the air.
The man, who was at Brenan Street when the wild weather hit, said the iron sheets were up to three metres long.
The resident said the whirlwind was immediately followed by a deluge of rain.
"I heard a noise that sounded a bit like thunder and as it got closer it sounded like tin and I thought 'wow, that could be a tornado' and went outside and could see half a dozen sheets of iron in a sort of whirlwind," he said.
Hauraki District Council posted on its facebook page that traffic via Karangahake Gorge from Paeroa to Waihi was flowing again after the road was blocked by a fallen tree.
Electricity and gas distributor Powerco said they had reports of a tornado in the areas of Ngatea, Kerepehi and Paeroa.
"We have crews on the way to assess and repair damage to the electricity network.
"To stay safe, it's important that if you come across downed or low power lines, you keep well clear and call Powerco's emergency line on 0800 27 27 27."