A Waihi Beach bach owner says the formation of the tornado which ripped roofs off houses and cut power to nearly 1500 properties was one of the most amazing things he's ever seen.
Footage shows the storm tearing through the Bay of Plenty beachside settlement about 9am on Saturday.
Mark Wright says he stood on the dunes as two water spouts merged into a twister and headed into shore.
"I could just see debris and there was just all sorts going on in the sky, and there was just almost like an explosion of debris up in the air. There was just corrugated iron and objects and birds."
Wright said he spoke to a resident who escaped uninjured from his home after his roof was torn off.
Western Bay of Plenty mayor James Denyer said he was thankful no one was too badly injured.
He said he rushed to the area soon after the tornado went through and had been speaking to locals near Seaforth Road where the first part of the storm hit.
"I've seen roofs lifted off, tossed across the road - they're gone through power lines, which is why they're down. There's a little bit of shock, but they're coping and getting through."
A second tornado landed south of Seaforth Road, felling trees and damaging cars in the area.
Meanwhile, people are advised to stay away from Waihi Beach, as emergency services respond to downed power lines.
Police said parts of Seaforth Road were blocked.
MetService said a severe thunderstorm watch for the Bay of Plenty was lifted just before 10am on Saturday, but there was potential for further stormy weather.
RNZ
