UPDATED: 3pm: Roadblocks have been removed from Waihi Road and the gas leak, which saw the road closed this morning, has been repaired.

A digger is believed to have nicked the 50mm gas main at about 9.30am.

Photos: Bruce Barnard.

Wahi Road between Churchill Road and Birch Avenue was closed until the gas supply could be shut off.

Police are advising residents in the area to stay inside their houses and to refrain from using any naked flames. Callers to SunLive said there was a strong smell of gas in the area at the time.

Traffic backing up on Birch Ave.

Waihi Road, showing the scene of the leak and the roadblock at Churchill Road.