We’ve seen some big thunderstorms across New Zealand in recent days, in fact our lightning data indicates tens of thousands of lightning flashes have been detected across the country.

Many of those have been around Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty but many others have formed around Hawke’s Bay, Northland, the Central and lower North Island and the ranges of the upper South Island.

Via social media and our website and free app we’ve been sent dozens of photos in recent days – here’s 12 of the best (and thank you to everyone for sharing so many great photos and videos).

Flash Flooding in Pukekohe. @WeatherWatchNZ @PhilipDuncan pic.twitter.com/OhBPmDIBNC

— Andrew (@AndrewkNZ) December 15, 2018

Couldn’t ask for a better view from the ferry, hopefully my bike gets me to Avondale before the storm does! @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/EuRhqqqRbn

— Andy Harwood (@AndyHarwood) December 14, 2018

Blues for miles in #twizel @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/kllW3IsDO6

— michelle (@JoinMichellea) December 14, 2018

Yes, great looking clouds

Plus a special low cloud for Woodridge pic.twitter.com/FpH10l41lH

— Polhill NZ (@PolhillNZ) December 14, 2018

Lightning lighting up the sky above Spark Arena @NiwaWeather @WeatherWatchNZ @MetService pic.twitter.com/cRQ1pF4ps1

— IDM (@IDM2102) December 14, 2018

@WeatherWatchNZ @PhilipDuncan Bro-in-law captures this one last night from Northcote pic.twitter.com/SM38B83cZ9

— Ben WaihiSurfie (@waihisurfie) December 14, 2018

pic.twitter.com/QcDWLayGAL

@PhilipDuncan @WeatherWatchNZ @karen_smillie At AKL airport! @AKL_Airport pic.twitter.com/CRoJEKCv4J

— Ben WaihiSurfie (@waihisurfie) December 14, 2018

This incredible photo was just sent in/uploaded to the @WeatherWatchNZ Photo Gallery by Dan Oades, east Auckland – what a stunner (legit pic too). Brief details on how/where the photo was taken here: https://t.co/KCDqPoz0XT pic.twitter.com/zo56b6QqN1

— Philip Duncan (@PhilipDuncan) December 14, 2018

Due to the current thunder cell over Auckland, the next international flight from @AKL_Airport will resume from 1130pm, All domestic flights from Auckland have left and will be no delays to this service. – Auckland Airports Ops Team@PhilipDuncan @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/NauakypeNf

— Visual Media Productions (@SamSword_NZ) December 14, 2018

Storms brewing up in the Akatarawa’s! @WeatherWatchNZ pic.twitter.com/bFL5xHlXoY

— Sam James (@samjamesnz) December 14, 2018

– WeatherWatch.co.nz