Cyclone Cook ravaged parts of New Zealand on Thursday night, leaving over 20,000 people without power and dozens of roads blocked by trees and landslips.

It was severe enough for Facebook to activate their safety check feature, allowing those in the storm's path to mark themselves safe, to reassure their friends and family.

The feature also allowed users to offer or request certain types of support, such as food, shelter or volunteers.

Kiwis' responses probably weren't quite what Facebook had in mind.