UPDATED 1.14pm: Power has been out to more than 4000 Christchurch properties.

The cut is centred in Riccarton and includes the Westfield mall.

Distributor Orion is working to reconnect those impacted.

They say the number of homes affected is now down to 198.

More are expected to be switched back on within the hour.

Outages were reported from beside Hagley Park in the CBD to the University in Upper Riccarton.

Traffic signals are out at some of the busiest intersections in the city, including at Moorhouse Ave and Lincoln Road.