Auckland's Sky Tower is bearing the brunt as lightning blasts across Auckland.
MetService says there have been 247 strikes in the Auckland and Northland regions in the last two hours, many more out to sea.
- Violent lightning strikes tear sky apart
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But those hitting the city have been targeting the Sky Tower, lighting it up with dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning.
Video posted to social media shows the great jagged streaks tearing down and striking the tower, before the air explodes with thunder.
"Rumbles in Auckland!" NIWA warns.
"Thunderstorms moving through the region, located west/north of the CBD. When thunder roars, head indoors!"
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