Three people lost their lives and seven others were taken to local hospitals after a tornado hit Auckland yesterday.
At least 250 people are homeless in the suburbs of Whenuapai and Hobsonville due to damage to their homes.
New Zealand's Prime Minister, Mr John Key, plans to visit the area today to meet with residents and assess the damage.
Glen Burgess, president of the Henderson stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, reports that miraculously only two Latter-day Saint families have been affected.
The Pilling family are safe and well after the tornado, but their Hobsonville home received moderate damage.
The Pillings have four children, ages 12-25. Their 86-year-old mother, living in another home close by, is also well and did not receive any significant property damage.
Leader of the local Mormon congregation, West Harbour Ward, Bishop David Sotogi, has arranged for a clean-up effort by Mormon youth this evening. He also arranged for a generator to be delivered to the Pillings' home so they can have power.
Fellow Latter-day Saints, Bradley and Meriana Anderson, live near by. Bradley is enlisted in the New Zealand Air force and he and his family live in Air Force housing in Hobsonville.
Their home was extensively damaged by the tornado and is uninhabitable. Their tiled roof was blown off and they were surprised to find a trampoline in their living room. Their family was in the house when the tornado struck but were able to stay safe and no injuries were sustained.
For a short time they stayed with other Church members and are currently living in a local motel.
Bishop Sotogi has been in contact with both families and reports “they are in good spirits and are grateful for the members concern.”
The Latter-day Saints' Moire Road Chapel was unaffected by the tornado.
Elder Huntzinger at the New Zealand Auckland Mission Office reports that missionaries in the area, Elders Nix and Tukerio-Lio, are both safe and well.
Elder F. Michael Watson of the Pacific Area Presidency indicated that the area office personnel and local Latter-day Saint leaders and members are continuing to monitor the situation and are reaching out to the broader community to help with the clean-up and in assisting families in need.