Reports are coming in of a tree being down on State Highway 2, between Katikati and Tauranga.

A caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline says there is a massive tree blocking both side of the highway near Pahoia Road.

"Traffic is backing up in both directions."

Another SunLive reader has messaged us to say power in out in Katikati this afternoon.

According to Powerco, power is also out in Te Puna and Te Puke.

Around 389 properties are without power in Te Puna, while 117 are affected by the outage in Te Puke.

Another caller says power is also out in Omokoroa.

The MetService has issued a strong wind watch for the Bay of Plenty region.

A complex low pressure system over central New Zealand is strong winds to many areas.

Strong Wind Watch

Area: Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, and Bay Of Plenty from Papamoa westwards
Valid: 8 hours from 6am to 2pm Wednesday
Forecast: West to southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.