Part of a street in central Wellington has been closed off after a sinkhole opened in the road.



A section of Hobson St in Thorndon is expected to remain cordoned off until at least Monday, after the three-metre square sinkhole was discovered.

Wellington City Council did not believe it was caused by the earthquake but said the collapse of a stormwater drain was the likely explanation.



"It might be the result of a broken stormwater pipe, that's basically collapsed by the sounds of it," council spokesman Richard MacLean said.



"It looks like we're going to close the street to through traffic until Monday."



It was likely the stormwater pipe had eroded over time, and the road had collapsed after the pipe below gave way.



It would not cause water problems for local residents even if it rained, because council would drain water away using other methods.

A Wellington Free spokesman said the road closure would not affect callouts. Ambulances could still get in and out via Davis St.