Homeowners who experienced serious power issues from the recent lightning strikes that hit Rotorua, are being urged to contact their insurance companies.

A storm that saw 500 bolts of lightning and crashing thunder struck Rotorua on December 04, causing power outages to more than 1,400 customers, New Zealand Herald reported.

Unison relationship manager Danny Gough told the publication most of the affected customers were in the Ngongotahā and Fairy Springs areas – 627 homes lost power for 31 minutes. He advises anyone who experienced more serious power issues within their homes with blown appliances, to contact their insurers.

The storm, which struck Rotorua, had earlier wreaked havoc in the Auckland and Waikato region. In Māngere, a woman was taken to hospital after reportedly being hit by lightning. Lightning strikes were also reportedly behind the deaths of four cows on a farm outside Hamilton.