The cause of the blackout was a cable fault around 291 Queen St.
Central Auckland resident Lena Lin said her street's power went out about 10.45pm.
"Looking out my window to the apartments on Queen St they had also lost power.
"[It's] rather funny seeing everyone's torchlight coming on and flashing out the window."
Mel Taylor said on Twitter: "Lights are still on our side of the street, buildings and street lights are in darkness on the other side..."
Another Twitter user, Punish Budhiraja, said: "@Auckland CBD in Dark. Major Power cut. No Traffic Signals. No Elevators and No #WiFi..."
Others poked fun at the inconveniences the blackout was causing.
James Halcrow said on Twitter: "I survived the great #Auckland CBD #powercut of 2016..."
And Emily Hall wrote: "Waaah power cut in Auckland cbd...let me watch Netflix in bed!!!"