Just in time for Christmas, 50 homes damaged by the Auckland tornado earlier this month have been repaired and the families have moved back in.

Another 79 homes are expected to be fixed by the end of January.

The December 6 storm that claimed three lives and caused an estimated $13 million worth of damage, affected 384 properties in West Auckland - 89 suffered major damage. 

Immediately after the disaster 123 people required emergency accommodation. 

One family still remains in the care of Civil Defence, but those still unable to return home have made arrangements with friends and family.

"Communities banded together to help affected families. It was great to see the Christmas spirit truly alive," said Auckland Civil Defence Controller Clive Manley.

"It was great to see the strong relationships between all the groups involved, who worked together to coordinate our response and recovery."

The reconnection of electricity had been a major issue for the recovery.

Tom Stowers, 42, Keith Langford, 60, and Brendon Johnson, 22, were killed when the tornado hit the neighbouring Hobsonville Point School construction site where they were working.

Twenty two homes were deemed uninhabitable in Hobsonville and Whenuapai following the tornado.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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