Power is out to a number of homes in Western Bay and Matamata regions this morning.

According to Powerco, the power cut is affecting 312 properties in Whakamarama.

The supply went down just before 11am and is estimated to be back on around 3pm.

A site investigation is underway to determine the cause.

Meanwhile, 651 properties in Matamata are being affected by a power cut.

Powerco is reporting the outage started at 11.17am and is estimated to be back on around 2.17pm.

Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast to lash the region today.

The MetService has issued a strong wind watch for Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato, Waitomo, and Bay of Plenty west of Papamoa.

The watch is valied for 13 hours from 7am to 8pm today.

" West to southwesterly winds may approach severe gale in exposed places at times," says the weather organisation.