The Coromandel had a water show this morning when a huge spout was spotted above Pauanui Beach.
A reader sent in an image of the water phenomenon seen on the horizon shortly before midday.
"My son spotted 'something real weird on the sea ... It could be a tornado' ... It's huge."
A waterspout is a form of tornado that occurs over a body of water.
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According to Niwa, tornadoes are relatively rare events in New Zealand.
On average there are about seven to 10 moderate to strong tornado events reported in the country each year.