A tornado has left a trail of destruction and panic in its wake through Auckland's North Shore.

Police on the North Shore have confirmed that one person is dead, there are "numerous injuries" caused by the tornado and there are unconfirmed reports that another person has also died.

The twister struck Albany and appears to have ripped through the Mega-Centre shopping mall heading across the North Shore through Birkenhead before crossing the harbour and heading for the Harbour Bridge. It then tracked over the water and headed towards West Auckland.

An eye-witness in Albany described the tornado as sounding like rolling thunder. They saw the tornado heading south towards the Harbour Bridge and could see debris being flung everywhere in its wake.

There are currently sirens going off in the areas and there has been damage to the Albany Mega Centre.

NewstalkZB reported the Harbour Bridge was being closed in preparation for the tornado to cross its path however the NZTA said that was not true.

Callers to NewstalkZB have reported absolute carnage around the Albany Mall with cars tossed on their tops and a large emergency service presence heading to or already at the mall.

A North Shore police spokesman said emergency services were busy fielding calls from the public with reports of damage to homes and cars.

One eye-witness captured the moment on video