Terrifying video has captured Aucklanders' terror as lightning hammers the city.
Giant bolts are striking across the region - and this footage shows the fire and carnage they are causing.
Shot by Amy Bunčuga in Blockhouse Bay, it shows a vivid streak of electricity shooting down and appearing to hit a tree, which explodes into flame.
"Had to mute out my scream omg," she wrote on Facebook.
Ms Bunčuga now fears for her horses' safety in the face of the ferocious storm.
"THE HORSES," she wrote. "I HOPE MY BABY IS OKAY."
Aucklanders have been warned to take care and stay inside in the worst affected areas.
According to Weather Watch, there were 872 lightning strikes between 6:30am and 8:30am across New Zealand.
Meteorologist James Millward said the "very active cold front" which swept across Hamilton on Monday was moving its way across Auckland on Tuesday morning, causing thunderstorms and widespread darkness.
The Bay of Plenty, Coromandel, East Cape, Manawatu are the next in line for thunderstorms.
Newshub.
