Community spirit was in full swing this morning as locals downed tools and offered a helping hand to those Mount Maunganui residents cleaning up in the wake of last night's Tornado.

From 10am this morning, church group Mt Mosaic became the hub of volunteer efforts for those most affected.

Photo & Video: Cameron Avery.

Mt Mosaic leader Joel Milgate says they have been inundated with phone calls from people offering a helping hand soon after the tornado hit at 8.30pm last night.

'There is a lot of people who are downing tools and coming down here to help out,” explains Joel.

'We are focusing on Links Avenue and the Epsom Road area to begin with, and hopefully the assessors get through Mount Maunganui Intermediate so we can help out there this afternoon.”

People spent the morning evaluating the damage that has been left after the tornado tore through the Mount Maunganui and Bayfair area, with around 25 volunteers offering a wide range of support to those most affected as well as cleaning up debris across the streets.

'We will also be providing moral support as I imagine a lot of people will be in shock,” adds Joel.

'Sometimes it's just an arm around a shoulder, or a bit of a hug is what they need, as well as someone on the end of a broom.

'It can also help simply to make a cup of tea or take some food around. We will be looking at ways that people can help.”

The tornado ripped through Waitui Grove, Golf Road, Lodge Avenue, Ascot Place, Epsom Road, Maunganui Road, Owens Place and Baypark at around 8.30pm last night.

Fences, house roofs, trees, power transformers and trampolines were all destroyed while a large section off the southern end of the Baypark Stadium roof was torn off.

In total, 11 houses were reported to have sustained damage, while eight of those were evacuated to friends and family.

Anyone wanting to help can call Mt Mosaic on: 07 572 0998.