Arataki and Matapihi power cuts leave hundreds of homes without power

A power cut has hit more than 700 properties in Mount Maunganui. File Photo.

More than 700 properties are without power in the Mount Maunganui area.

In a post on its website, Powerco said there was an unplanned outage affecting properties in the Arataki suburb of Mount Maunganui.

Another 60 properties gave been affected by an outage in Matapihi.

Powerco said the power cut happened around 11.30am.

The lines company estimated to have power returned around 3.30pm.

The power outage also affected the Bayfair Shopping Centre.

Centre manager Steve Ellingford said at around midday the power had been out for about 30 minutes at the shopping centre.

Ellingford said the power had already been restored nearby on Owens Place, suggesting Bayfair’s would return shortly.

If not, a decision on next steps would be made within the following half hour.

Most stores made their own decisions during an outage, with many choosing to close doors for security.

Customers largely waited around the centre, as outages were typically brief, Ellingford said.

He said police were onsite to provide support.

The shopping centre was monitoring updates from Powerco and stores would resume trading once power was restored.

Ellingford didn’t know the cause of the outage at this stage.

A number of properties have been affected by the outage. Image / Powerco