The March storm dubbed the Tasman Tempest has cost insurers $NZ41.7 million ($38.7 million) so far, according to the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ).

The storm hit Auckland and the Coromandel Peninsula from March 7-12, with the township of Whangamata suffering most damage.

Of the 7035 claims, 5824 were for home and contents worth $NZ24.5 million ($22.73 million) and 760 were for commercial damage and business interruption, totalling $NZ13.4 million ($12.44 million).

Some 315 motor vehicle claims cost $NZ2.8 million ($2.6 million).

Insurers have also paid 1389 claims totalling $NZ9.1 million ($8.43 million) for wind and floods on the lower North Island from November 14-17.

The ICNZ has not calculated costs for ex-tropical cyclone Debbie, which reached New Zealand as a major rain-bearing depression on April 6, or tropical cyclone Cook, which hit the country’s east coast the following week.