New Zealand insurers have paid $NZ10.8 million ($9.83 million) to meet claims following a tornado and storm that ripped through the upper North Island in late June, preliminary figures from the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) show.

The fierce winds led to widespread damage throughout greater Auckland, with close to 1100 claims received by insurers so far. More than 850 home and contents claims and close to 150 commercial and business-related claims were filed.

“It is really important that people insure adequately for unexpected events which we can unfortunately expect to happen more frequently due to the growing impacts of climate change in New Zealand,” ICNZ CEO Tim Grafton said.

"Costs to recover from freak storms like this can escalate quickly.”