Tornado scatters pine trees across SH10

Pine trees have been destroyed by a tornado near Taipa. Photo / File photo

A tornado is believed to have ripped out five large pine trees and thrown them across State Highway 10 in the Far North last night.

Fire Service northern communications centre shift manager Jaron Phillips said at 9.45pm emergency services received reports of a tornado near Taipa, about 40km north-east of Kaitaia.

"Apparently five trees were knocked down - one very large tree - and were completely blocking SH10."

Firefighters and roading contractors used chainsaws and a digger to remove the trees.

The road has since reopened.