I heard about the snowfalls in NZ, very impressive for places that can go years without snow.

What's the coldest daytime maximum recorded during this cold snap?

A tornado has hit the west Auckland suburb of Avondale.

The fire service received reports around 1pm that a tornado was moving through the suburb.

Northern communications shift manager Jarron Phillips says Wairau Ave sustained the most damage and was closed.

One house was hit by lightning, Phillips confirmed. Powerlines had fallen onto other homes in the area.

Several homes and blocks of flats were damaged, Phillips said.

Senior station officer for Avondale fire Esitone Pauga said people were leaving a flea market in the area at the time the tornado hit.

Pauga said they were keeping people out of affected homes for safety reasons.

Power was still on in the area and residents were not too frightened, Pauga said.

Mark Hackett, who moved to Auckland from Christchurch to escape the earthquakes, said his family's garage was destroyed but luckily his family was safe.

Fire services said the tornado also hit the Ash St area.

Six fire engines in total attended Ash St and Wairau Ave.

There were no reports of injuries.

MetService issued a moderate thunderstorm warning for the upper North Island region, including Auckland, this morning, with gusts of up to 100km/h, small hail and localised heavy rain forecast.

Will you going anywhere near New Plymouth or Taranaki? Or Henderson (west Auckland)? My parents came from there, like to see how its changed since we left. Chance of any photos?