In the early hours of Sunday, January 26, 2025, the peaceful town of Mangawhai in Northland was rocked by a rare and powerful tornado. Sweeping through just before 3 a.m., the tornado left a trail of destruction in its wake, tearing roofs off homes, uprooting trees, and injuring two residents. Described by locals as a “war zone,” the town now faces a massive clean-up and recovery effort.
When daylight revealed the aftermath, the damage was extensive. Over 50 homes were affected, with four completely destroyed. Roofs were ripped away, walls were left crumbling, and roads were blocked by fallen trees and debris. Power lines were toppled, leaving nearly 5,000 homes without electricity. In some areas, power is not expected to be restored for several days. Civil Defence officials and building inspectors have assessed the damage, with three homes yellow-stickered, restricting access, and one home white-stickered, indicating a serious safety risk.
Kaipara District Mayor Craig Jepson expressed his shock at the devastation, describing the scene as “heartbreaking.” He commended the community for their resilience, saying, “There’s a huge clean-up job ahead, but the way everyone is supporting each other is inspiring.”
The tornado left two people seriously injured. One person was airlifted to Auckland Hospital for urgent care, while another was taken to North Shore Hospital by ambulance. Many residents have been displaced, seeking shelter with friends, family, or neighbors as they begin the process of rebuilding their lives. Temporary tarpaulins now cover homes, offering a small measure of protection as residents work to salvage what they can.
Power restoration efforts are ongoing, with Northpower crews working tirelessly to repair the extensive damage. Old Waipu Road was one of the worst-hit areas, where some homes may remain without power until at least Monday evening. A generator is being brought in to restore electricity to about 60 homes in the interim. Northpower has also urged residents to avoid tampering with power lines, emphasizing that safety checks are critical before reconnecting damaged homes.
Tornadoes are an unusual phenomenon in New Zealand, making this event all the more shocking. The ferocity of the storm has reminded many of the unpredictable power of nature. Despite the destruction, the Mangawhai community has rallied together. Neighbors are helping each other clear debris, emergency services are coordinating relief efforts, and Kaipara Civil Defence is providing much-needed support.
