Stairwell collapses in central Auckland

Mid City shopping centre in Queen St where a stairwell has collapsed.

Three people have been injured following a staircase collapse in the old Mid-City theatre in downtown Auckland.

Police Inspector Matt Sillars said the three men were moderately injured when a concrete staircase collapsed around 10.40am.

"They were in process of demolishing the staircase and somewhere along the line something has given way. What caused that is up to the Department of Labour," Mr Sillars said.

One men working on the site said one worker received injuries to the mouth, another injuries to the knee and the other injuries to the inside of a leg.

Those working at the building reported hearing large "crashing and shaking".

The site was a construction zone and was not open to the public.

The Mid City cinema complex, built in the 1980s has been empty for about a decade is being converted into around 90 retail stores.