A Hamilton family have had to move house as a tree precariously teeters over their property last night.

Bader resident Marissa Abernathy - and her three children - are living with her mother nearby after last night's wild weather saw a tree split in half, with one half collapsing on the road of their cul-der-sac street Manor Pl about 9pm.

The other part of the tree remains on a lean - on top of Ms Abernathy's house. If it collapses it is also likely to partially land on another neighbouring property.

Firefighters cut the tree up to give one lane access before an arborist was due to arrive at the scene today.

Ms Abernathy said it wasn't safe for her and her family to remain in the house until the tree, which was rotten, had been cut down.

Neighbours ran out onto the road last night after hearing an almighty "boom”.

Resident of 16 years, Roberta Neely, said the tree was there when she moved in. 

She said she felt the earth move underneath her as the tree slammed into the ground.

- © Fairfax NZ News