Deaths reported in New Zealand storm -- witnesses say it was a tornado In this photo taken with a mobile phone, a tree is seen damaged on a property in Auckland, New Zealand, following a reported tornado, Dec. 6. Three people were killed and several injured Thursday when high winds -- possibly from a tornado -- struck in the outskirts of Auckland, New Zealand, police officials told New Zealand media. Two deaths occurred in the northwestern suburb of Hobsonville when a concrete slab fell on a truck, the New Zealand Herald reported on its website, citing a fire services spokesman. But Radio New Zealand said the truck had been carrying the slab. It was not immediately possible to reconcile the reports. Giant concrete blocks were reported toppled at a school construction site, possibly trapping workers beneath, the Herald reported. The Herald reported that there was a third death but did not say where or how it occurred. Trees were felled, chimneys collapsed and roofs were blown off in Hobsonville and the Upper Harbour areas, the Herald reported. Witnesses described a tornado, but a MetService spokesman told the Herald that that had not been confirmed. Staff at Auckland Airport have been withdrawn from the tarmac, the New Zealand Herald reported.