The Mangawhai community is banding together to pick up the pieces from yesterday morning's tornado.

Two people were seriously injured and nine buildings are yellow stickered - with another 26 white stickered as possibly damaged, but safe. 

Restoring power is taking longer than first expected, with worse damage than first thought.

All but 30 customers should have electricity by midnight.

Kaipara mayor Craig Jepson says only one person has needed emergency accommodation through the welfare team.

"Other than that, I think people relied on the generosity of friends and family and other people that stepped up."

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