One person was injured after a tree was hit by lightning in Dannevirke this afternoon amid wild weather that hit parts of the North Island.
Some orchardists in Hawke's Bay are also anxious to find out if the cloudburst damaged flowers ahead of the annual Blossom Festival, with more heavy rain forecast for the rest of the week.
Fire and Emergency confirmed one person was injured, but could not clarify whether the person's injuries were from being struck by lightning or a tree that had fallen.
The Chief Fire Officer of the Dannevirke Volunteer Fire Brigade, Pete Sinclaire, said it appeared a hitchhiker was sheltering under the tree.
![One person was injured after lightning hit a tree in Dannevirke, amid wild weather in parts of the country today. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/YNNK36XOZFQ4CS4R4EBX4U6XQM.jpg?auth=a18d85f6f413afa4d02409048360d007b0e61f4726c671f61f19f52cc1c2c639&width=16&height=22&quality=70&smart=true)