Manawatū, New Zealand — A sudden tornado tore through parts of the Rangitīkei District on Wednesday afternoon, injuring one person and leaving around 180–190 households without electricity after violent winds damaged buildings, trees, power lines and vehicles near Dudding Lake.
The storm struck just after midday at a motor camp by Dudding Lake, southwest of Marton, with witnesses describing a terrifying scene as a caravan was flipped and debris hurled across the campground. Emergency services were called at about 12.36 pm, rushing to the scene amid fears people could be trapped inside damaged vehicles and structures.
⚡️Severe #thunderstorms swept across #NewZealand’s North Island on Wednesday, triggering multiple alerts and warnings. Auckland’s #SkyTower was struck by lightning, and a #tornado overturned a caravan in Manawatū, injuring one person and leaving three others to be assessed.… pic.twitter.com/Z0Z8rUhZot
— CCTV Asia Pacific (@CCTVAsiaPacific) December 3, 2025
One Injured as Power Network Takes Hit
St John confirmed one person was taken to Whanganui Hospital in moderate condition after the caravan they were in was overturned by the tornado. Fire and Emergency crews initially assessed four people at the scene for injuries and shock.
Rangitīkei District Council said about 180 properties in the wider area were affected by power outages after lines were brought down and poles damaged. Powerco crews and contractors were sent in to restore supply as quickly as possible, but residents were warned that some rural customers could face extended delays while fallen trees and debris were cleared from access routes.
Homes, Trees and Sheds Damaged Across the Area
Local reports from around Dudding Lake, Bulls and nearby rural roads describe collapsed sheds, twisted roofing iron and large trees snapped or uprooted. Rangitīkei District Council has urged people to stay away from the motor camp and surrounding damage zone while inspectors assess structures and removal crews work to clear blocked roads.
Civil defence and council teams say the damage pattern appears highly localised, consistent with a narrow tornado track, but the intensity of the destruction has alarmed residents who are not used to such violent winds hitting a campground and lakeside community.
House Bus Struck by Lightning
One man living in a house bus at the Dudding Lake camp described feeling like the “luckiest unlucky person” after lightning struck his vehicle during the same storm. The strike reportedly blew out wiring, shook the bus violently and caused minor roof damage, but he escaped without serious injury.
No Tornado Alert Before Strike
While thunderstorms and heavy rain had been forecast for parts of the North Island, there was no specific tornado warning in force for Manawatū or Rangitīkei at the time the funnel touched down. Emergency services say the tornado formed and moved through the area very quickly, leaving little opportunity for advance warnings beyond general thunderstorm advice.
MetService has since noted that atmospheric conditions over the North Island on Wednesday became unstable rapidly, with warm, humid air feeding thunderstorms along a frontal band. In these situations, small but damaging tornadoes can spin up and dissipate within minutes.
Now thos was dow right AWESOME…. LOTS of lightening and thunder rolls.
— Del Pouwels (@PouwelsDel) December 3, 2025
Mangaiti, Te Aroha, 5.10pm, 3/12/25@WeatherWatchNZ @MetService @HaurakiGulfWx pic.twitter.com/vCSeeUY3Hy
How Common Are Tornadoes in New Zealand?
Tornadoes are not rare in New Zealand, but most tend to be short-lived and relatively weak. Experts estimate that dozens may occur nationwide each year, with many forming over farmland, coastal waters or sparsely populated areas where damage is limited and often goes unreported.
This Dudding Lake event stands out because it hit a campground, flipped a caravan with people inside and caused a cluster of damage in a popular holiday area — all in the space of just a few minutes.
For official weather updates and safety guidance, readers are advised to follow updates from New Zealand’s national meteorological service and local civil defence channels.
What Residents Are Being Told to Do
- Stay clear of fallen or low-hanging power lines
- Avoid damaged buildings and caravans until they have been inspected
- Photograph damage for insurance records before beginning clean-up
- Check on elderly neighbours, campers and isolated households
- Follow council and emergency updates closely for road closures and safety alerts
Extreme Weather Across NZ
The tornado comes amid a broader spell of severe weather affecting multiple regions, with torrential rain, gusty winds and thunderstorms recorded across the North Island, including Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Even areas far from Manawatū have been warned to prepare for rapidly changing conditions.
See related coverage: Severe rain and thunderstorms forecast for Auckland
A Community Shaken
For many in Manawatū and Rangitīkei, the Dudding Lake tornado has been a sobering reminder of how quickly a summer thunderstorm can turn dangerous. As families clear debris and power crews work late into the night, residents are left counting the cost — and hoping this rare but violent kind of storm does not return any time soon.
