A bright fireball stunned viewers as it streaked across the North Island sky this evening.

Footage of the event was posted to social media, with sightings reported across Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.

“Heads up!” citizen science network Fireballs Aotearoa wrote on social media.

“A very bright green fireball was seen passing west to east over the upper North Island tonight just before 7.44pm.”

The group said it appeared to have ended up over the ocean and urged people to check security cameras for footage.

One video captured by the Tauranga Astronomical Society showed the fireball streaking over a sports field, growing brighter and greener as it crossed the sky.

Another clip, submitted to Fireballs Aotearoa by Ōtūmoetai resident David Greig, showed the fireball blazing through the sky with a long white trail before disappearing behind clouds.

Social media users reported seeing the fireball from Rotorua, Morrinsville, Hamilton, Kawerau, Ōhope, Pāpāmoa East and as far south as Waikanae.

One person in Rotorua said they saw a “big white light” break into about three sections before fading.

Another witness in Upper Oropi described it as “bright green with white tail”, while a Pāpāmoa East resident said it was “so long and bright”.

A Hamilton witness said they saw it “clear as day”, while another person near Rotorua said they watched it for about 15 seconds.

Fireballs Aotearoa has been approached for comment.