UPDATED 8.39am: A large hole has been left in the road at Pilot Bay after a water main ruptured overnight.
A reporter at The Mall said the road had been cordoned off between Princes Ave and Salisbury Wharf and the area where the hole was had been surrounded by wire netting.
The hole measured about 6x4m in size and up to 2m deep.
EARLIER: A major watermain break at Pilot Bay has scoured out a large hole in the road near the corner of The Mall and Prince Avenue.
The rupture is believed to have happened about 10pm yesterday.
Tauranga City Council communication advisor Marcel Currin said a section of The Mall was closed to traffic until further notice, including this morning.
Water supply to the Mount area was unaffected and people could still access Mauao via Maunganui Rd and Marine Parade.
The water washed away are large amount of sand from the beach.
Mr Currin said they were still working out the cause of the rupture.