Power is out in areas of the Western Bay of Plenty this afternoon as strong winds batter the region.

Almost 800 properties have been without power for several hours after winds up to 50km/h have felled trees and blown branches into power lines.

Powerco Network operations manager Phil Marsh says supply has been restored to around 620 properties but 160 were still without power.

'Field crews are working to restore supply as quickly and safely as possible.”

Phil says these types of power cuts could be avoided if tree owners called in the professionals to clear their trees from lines.

'Arranging for a Powerco approved contractor to cut away branches growing too close to lines would make a huge difference.”

The weather began causing problems around 9am when trees were blown into overhead power lines in Lower Kaimai.

Phil says further power cuts in Pongakawa around 11.15am were due to the wind snapping branches and damaging the network.

Affected customers with mobile phones could access detailed restoration times for their area on Powerco's website www.powerco.co.nz/Outages-and-Faults/