Coromandel sea puts on a spectacular show

Waterspout on the horizon at Pauanui Photo / Abi Butler

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.

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.