The Fire Service says tornadoes that swept through the New Plymouth area on Sunday were as destructive as twisters that hit the area four years ago.
Several dozen houses and businesses had their roofs torn off and suffered water damage from rain when the tornadoes swirled in from the sea about 4.15am.
One twister hit several business premises then scythed across four residential blocks, splintering and uprooting large trees, before slamming into houses in Ridge Lane.
Some 300 homes were left without power for most of the day.
New Plymouth's Mayor Harry Duynhoven says the twisters have left millions of dollars worth of damage in their wake.
Chief fire officer Patrick Fitzell says up to four tornadoes struck the city and surrounding districts.
Racecourse hit
Taranaki Thoroughbred Racing says one of the tornadoes caused considerable damage to parts of the racecourse.
Chief executive Carey Hobbs says one twister ripped out about 200 metres of railing around the race course and several signs.
He says it also blew out 10 rollers doors in a new stable complex and damaged spouting and parts of the roof.
Mr Hobbs says fortunately 60 horses in the complex escaped injury.
A large part of the slate roof of St Mary's Anglican Cathedral hall is now rubble.
Twister shook house
Craig Thomas, whose Ridge Lane home was hit, says he could feel the tornado moving the large century-old house.
"You could just hear it building and building and rumbling and (there was) just a whipping and a crashing noise. And then it was a boom as it hit the house ... The house is three storeys high, you could feel (it) physically shake and move."
Mr Thomas grabbed his young daughter from her bunk and ran downstairs.
He says he lost about half his roof in the tornado, leaving rainwater pouring in through plaster ceilings.