As Bay of Plenty residents make repairs to damage caused by a twister, South Island residents are preparing for a cold snap which could bring snow and hail.

About six homes in Papamoa, near Tauranga, had tiles ripped from roofs when a small tornado battered the area on Monday evening.

Firefighters from stations in Mount Maunganui and Papamoa were kept busy for almost two hours as they helped residents stop leakages using tarpaulins.

Meanwhile, Weather Watch reported thunder booming across Auckland, Taranaki, Northland, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty and as far south as Wellington.

Torrential rain and hail also battered Auckland.

A MetService severe thunderstorm warning for northern Auckland on Monday evening was lifted on Tuesday.

Weather Watch says a cold snap will hit the South Island bringing snow to areas 300 metres above sea level, as well as hail to lower parts on Tuesday night.

The main low will push out to the southeast of Dunedin.