'It kept coming in big waves': Taihape blasted by hailstorm

It looked more like winter than December in Taihape after a hailstorm blasted the town. Photo/ Taihape Community Development Trust

Taihape has been blasted by a massive hailstorm, leaving the Rangitikei town blanketed in thick white hailstones.

Hail began to fall just before 2pm on Thursday and hammered the town for about 10 minutes.

"It was huge," Taihape Community Development Trust office administrator Frances McKeown said.

"It was just going sideways and it kept coming in big waves. It kept going and going and going.

"We're in the town hall here and it was loud considering that we've got thick concrete walls."

The streets and rooftops were covered in a think white blanket following the storm.

McKeown said some of the stones were the size of a 10c piece and she was keen to go and check her car for damage.

"The traffic slowed down a lot because the visibility was way down."

Large hailstones settle on a Taihape roof. Photo/ Taihape Community Development Trust

The temperature dropped suddenly on Thursday before it arrived and there were reports of hail on the Taihape-Napier Rd on Wednesday.

The hailstorm in Taihape lasted for 10 minutes. Photo/ Taihape Community Development Trust