Update, 4.41pm Wild weather has resulted in a loss of power for thousands of customers in the Bay of Plenty area.

Strong winds have blown trees and other debris into power lines at high speed, causing multiple outages, Powerco Network Operation Manager Karen Frew says.

'The safety of our crews is a priority and in such severe weather, there were times this morning when it was too dangerous for them to be up power poles working in those gusts," says Karen.

'When it has been safe to do so, our crews have been working as quickly as possible to get the power back on for our customers. We have more crews on standby ready to work on reconnecting the power as soon as the weather begins to clear.

'We'd like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding as we work through fixing the outages,” says Karen.

For current outage information, including estimated restoration times, please visit https://outagemap.powerco.co.nz/outagesandfaults/.

Update, 4.15pm There are delays in the expected power restoration times for thousands of properties which have been affected by power cuts in the Bay of Plenty.

In Welcome Bay, 797 properties had a power cut at 1.49pm due to strong wind. Power is now estimated to be restored by 10pm, rather than 6.49pm as previously estimated.

In Bethlehem, 121 properties are still without power folowing an outage at 1.21pm. Power is estimated to be restored by 10pm, later than the previously estimated restoration time of 6.21pm.

In the Pukehina area there are 3731 properties had a power outage at 12.15pm due to strong wind. Power is estimated to be restored by 6pm.

In Te Puke, 74 properties received a power cut at 2.23pm. Power is estimated to be restored by 7.23pm.

Update, 2.40pm Thousands of properties have been affected by power cuts in the Bay of Plenty.

In the Pukehina area there are 3731 properties had a power outage at 12.15pm due to strong wind. Power is estimated to be restored by 6pm.

In Te Puke, 74 properties received a power cut at 2.23pm. Power is estimated to be restored by 7.23pm.

In Welcome Bay, 797 properties had a power cut at 1.49pm. Power is estimated to be restored by 6.49pm.

In Bethlehem, 472 properties had a power cut at 1.21pm. Power is estimated to be restored by 6.21pm.

Update, 1.35pm There is a power outage affecting properties in Bethlehem and Maketu.

The power went off to 472 properties in Bethlehem, Tauranga at 1.21pm.

Powerco expect power to be restored by 6.21pm.

In Maketu, 3731 properties have been affected by a power cut. The power went off there at 12.15pm and is expected to be restored by 5.15pm.

Earlier, 12.35pm

There is a power outage in Maketu.

Powerco have reported that 3731 properties have been affected by the power cut.

The power went off at 12.15pm and is expected to be restored by 5.15pm.

The cause of the outage is unknown at this stage.