Auckland Tornado

1. 12.20pm: Tornadoes like the one that hit West Auckland yesterday are “rare” events in New Zealand, says NIWA.

   “Fatalities associated with tornadoes are rare in New Zealand, with the most recent cases being the Albany tornado last year, which killed one person, and a tornado near Waitara in August 2004 which killed two people,” said NIWA meteorologist Dr Richard Turner.

   “Auckland is hit by a tornado on average less than once per year, but there is considerable variability from year to year with some years getting none.”

   On average there are around seven moderate to strong tornado events reported in New Zealand each year.
2. 11.40am: Despite difficult circumstances, power has been restored to more houses, leaving the total without power at 570.
   Vector says it aims to have the high voltage part of the network fixed later today.
   The low voltage part of the network won't be fixed until Sunday because of the amount of damage it has sustained.
   Lines will only be re-livened once it is safe to do so.
   Vector will issue another update on this at 6pm tonight.  
3. 10:56am: A Government helpline has been activated for people affected by the tornado needing immediate, coordinated information about services and assistance.