Power outage in Auckland CBD

The electricity outage left nearly 5000 households near the Auckland CBD without power. Photo / Punish Budhiraja Twitter

Power was cut to thousands of central Auckland residences last night, with 88 customers having to wait until 4am this morning to get their electricity restored.

The outage affected nearly 5000 households near the Auckland CBD, according to Vector's website.

Most of the 4924 customers lost power at 11.13pm, Vector spokeswoman Sandy Hodge said this morning.

The power company was able to restore power for all but 88 customers by 11.48pm, she said.

The final 88 only had their electricity turned back on at 4.09am this morning.

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..."

Lights are still on our side of the street, buildings and street lights are in darkness on the other side #Auckland #powercut #CBD

— Mel Taylor (@citysituated) March 6, 2016

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!!!"

Waaah power cut in Auckland cbd 😩 let me watch Netflix in bed!!! 😢 #powercut #auckland #vincentstreet

— 🌈Emily🦄 (@emilyalicehall) March 6, 2016