Man in hospital, caravan destroyed in reported tornado in Northland

RNZ News

14-07-2025

A campervan was destroyed in a reported tornado at Tauranga Bay Holiday Park in Northland.
Photo:
RNZ / Peter de Graaf
A man in his mid 80s has been taken to hospital after being trapped in his campervan when it was blown over in a Northland camp ground.
Another campervan has been destroyed. It had flipped on its roof and been blown about 50-metres into a Norfolk Pine tree.
Ambulance and Fire and Emergency were called to Tauranga Bay Holiday Park about 9.15am on Tuesday.
The injured man was taken to Bay of Islands Hospital in a moderate condition.
RNZ's reporter at the scene said his campervan was flipped on its side.
A man in his mid 80s was taken to hospital after being trapped in his campervan when it was blown over at Tauranga Bay Holiday Park, Northland.
Photo:
RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The damage is very localised with nearby campervans untouched.
Some at the scene have reported seeing a waterspout, it was also being described as a tornado.
MetService said intense rain and thunderstorms in the area meant there was the potential for tornadoes.
Photo:
Google Maps
But a spokesperson could not say whether one had occurred.
However, wind gusts of up to 75km/h had been recorded in the Kaeo area.
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