Waterspout touches down in Manukau harbour during storms near Aukland, New Zealand

A waterspout over Waiuku, in south Auckland, on Monday afternoon - MetService said it lasted up to 20 minutes.

    

A waterspout formed in Auckland skies during stormy weather.

The waterspout - essentially a weak tornado that stays over the water and does not touch land - formed above Manukau Harbour 2.30pm and 3pm on Monday.

It was visible to many parts of south Auckland and prompted comment through social media and lasted up to 20 minutes said MetService.

A waterspout caught by a resident in Waiuku, south Auckland, on Monday afternoon.

    

While many assumed it was a tornado, MetService said it never actually hit land.

"It's a spiral of wind, not very strong and doesn't have much of an affect on the ground. It is much weaker than a tornado and doesn't pose a risk," said Hordur Thordarson, duty forecaster at MetService.

While it looks like this waterspout is on land, Metservice said it was only over the water.