Spike in claims after tornado

The twister left a trail of destruction in its wake. Photo / George Novak

Damage caused by the Mount Maunganui tornado has generated at least 70 claims to New Zealand's biggest house and contents insurers.

Claims were substantially higher than the official 17 reports of damage to houses and commercial premises Tauranga City Council received.

Topping the list was IAG, whose spokesman Craig Dowling said State, AMI and NZI had received nearly 40 claims. "Half a dozen customers required emergency assistance to help secure and make their properties watertight."

Vero Insurance has received 23 claims so far, of which eight were urgent. "We had a Vero assessor on the ground straight away to assist," claims general manager Jimmy Higgins said.

AA Insurance spokeswoman Lizzie Furnell said the tornado had resulted in a small spike in claims over the weekend, with twice as many claims received for home and contents than motor vehicles. Most claims were for damage caused by insecure garden furniture, falling trees and smashed windows.

"A handful of customers required emergency assistance, with all repairs carried out over the weekend."

Bay Venues chief executive Gary Dawson said debris was still being cleared from the damaged section of ASB Baypark Stadium's roof.

An engineer will assess the damage once loose bits of roof and beams had been cleared away. Mr Dawson did not expect to have an indication of the cost of repairs until the end of this week.

Council communications adviser Marcel Currin said aside from Baypark there was little damage to city infrastructure. Mr Currin said contracting crews were on site throughout Thursday night, most of Friday and over the weekend. He said the initial focus had been making areas safe and clearing debris, followed by assessing the damage and clean-ups.

Six council workers staffed the emergency operating centre on Thursday night, with at least 30 staff co-ordinating Friday's response, including 25 in the field.

"The parks team were mobilised as welfare ambassadors, visiting every address where we knew there had been tornado damage."

Mr Currin said building inspectors checked each damaged home was safe to live in.

None of the organisations the Bay of Plenty Times contacted had assessed the tornado's costs.