Was it Thor? We're not so sure

Chris Hemsworth, also known as Thor, was spotted in Whangarei on Wednesday but whether it was the Australian actor or a look-a-like is yet to be confirmed.

Was it truly Thor who was spotted buying a Lord of the Rings novel in Whangarei, or was it an imposter?

The question is yet to be answered.

Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, aka Thor, or a "damn good" doppelganger was spotted at The Piggery Bookshop on Walton St on Wednesday by worker Sam, who did not want her surname used.

Sam said the man who walked in to the store and purchased The Return of the King was the "exact replica of Thor" - tall, blond, Australian, buff and "hot" and when she asked if his name was Chris, he winked at her and said yes.

But whether or not this man was the same Chris Hemsworth who appeared in Marvel Cinematic Universe films Thor and The Avengers, and the sequels, is yet to be confirmed. The Northern Advocate tweeted both Chris Hemsworth and Taika Waititi who is directing the latest Thor instalment Thor:Ragnarok but neither replied by edition time yesterday.

Neil Lambess from Replicant Hobbies, in Whangarei's Quality St, had plenty of people going into his shop on Wednesday asking if he had seen Thor so he got in on the fun. He put a poster in the front window of the shop reading: "We think we Thor him...But now we're not so Thor!"

If it was Chris Hemsworth his social media accounts aren't giving anything away. His last Instagram post was three days ago, alongside Thor co-stars Tom Hiddleston and Idris Elba.