Large parts of Dunedin have been plunged into darkness after street lights failed to switch on this evening.

Areas affected include St Kilda, Mornington and Ocean Grove.

On social media, some residents responded with humour.

“Council forgot to pay the bill,” one person joked, while another suggested: “The council have run out of money to pay for lighting?”

The Dunedin City Council told Stuff it appeared that the “whole network” had been affected.

The Herald has approached the council for comment.