A large scale power outage is being reported in Tauranga and the wider Western Bay of Plenty.

Powerco is reporting 22483 homes are affected by the outage.

Power is reported to be out in Matua, Brookfield, Otumoetai, Bethlehem, Bellevue, Te Puna, Lower Kaimai, Omokoroa and as far north as Katikati and Tanners Point.

Callers to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline says power went out in the area just before 2.30pm.

"The traffic lights on the corner of Millers Road are out too."

Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Ian Campion says a number of traffic lights are also out.

He is appealing to drivers to be careful and courteous with traffic lights out at several intersections across the city.

'If drivers could take extreme care and apply the usual giving way rule, and be particularly careful and courteous.”