Several tornadoes have swept across the top of the North Island, as MetService issues multiple thunderstorm warnings across the region.
Anna Stephenson told the Herald her daughter and friend were outside playing in Ōrewa, Auckland, when the wind picked up.
“It turned into a whistling sound and started circling towards us,” she said.
“I pulled the girls inside as it was a little freaky! Only minor but very random to have that suddenly happen here.”
MetService said it couldn’t confirm a mini tornado had swept across Ōrewa but said the area was affected by large amounts of instability.
“It is one of the components that can create tornadoes,” a forecaster told the Herald.
Another large tornado was spotted tearing through a field in the Waikato community of Maihiihi.
Luke Care told the Herald it was in a field about 1km from his home.
“Neighbours sent us some photos of downed trees but, fortunately, there doesn’t appear to be infrastructure damage,” he said.
He said it was a nerve-racking experience watching the tornado move closer.
“There would have been serious damage to our house if it had come through. Luckily, it happened in a rural area.”
MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Rodney and Albany.
“A line of severe thunderstorms is moving towards the southeast, and is expected to lie from Glorit to Puhoi to Orewa at 10.37pm and from Makarau to Orewa and the Inner Hauraki Gulf at 11.07pm.”
These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by very heavy rain.
A dozen warnings and watches were in place from Northland to Wellington.
Heavy rain was forecast to hit Auckland and last for more than 12 hours, and rain was falling in Taranaki and the central plateau.
The Bay of Plenty, where a heavy rain warning has been issued, is in for 25 hours of wet weather, including thunderstorms and a threat of flooding.
🟧🟡Heavy Rain Watches and Warnings, ⚡Thunderstorms and Downpours⛈️
— MetService NZ (@MetService) January 14, 2026
⛈️The risk of downpours due to thunderstorms is there for all of the North Island and very top of the South Island, with the exception of Gisborne and northern Hawke's Bay.
⚡This means that on top of Heavy… pic.twitter.com/RKNvsuWwIx
The severe thunderstorm watch came into force in Northland at 11am and will last until midnight. Other thunderstorm alerts came into force from 1pm and last until Friday morning.
Meanwhile, the Thames-Coromandel District Council has issued a warning to campers, travellers and anyone else in the Coromandel to take care near roads and waterways.
The South Taranaki District Council said surface flooding had been reported throughout the district and it advised motorists to take care.
“We’ve got all our crews out clearing drains and putting up signs.
“We’ll keep an eye on things and update you via Facebook and Antenno if there’s anything more you need to know from us about today’s weather.”
Taranaki Maunga is also under a heavy rain warning until 11pm, with up to 100mm of rain expected to fall and peak rates of up to 40mm/h.
Seth has a look at what's expected to be a busy day of weather on Thursday:
— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) January 14, 2026
⛈️ Areas of heavy rain and numerous thunderstorms will affect the North Island and upper South Island.
🥶 Meanwhile, the eastern South Island will experience a rainy and chilly day. pic.twitter.com/ocE0WynS5A
Temperatures across the North Island were forecast to remain in the mid-20s today.
However, the eastern and southern parts of the South Island were forecast to experience chillier conditions, with Christchurch reaching a high of 17C, and Dunedin, Oamaru and Invercargill reaching a high of 15C, according to Niwa Weather.
The wild weather has caused delays at Auckland Airport.
An Auckland Airport spokesperson said there were some small delays to some aircraft landing this afternoon because of weather conditions.
“For information about any potential impact this will have on flights, passengers should contact their airline. There are currently no operational impacts at Auckland Airport, with the runway and terminals running as normal.”
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