A sinkhole has opened up on a street in one of Auckland’s oldest suburbs, with a protective cordon now in place to prevent traffic from driving near the growing brick-lined crater.

Fire and Emergency are on the corner of Dunedin and New Sts in St Marys Bay to keep people safe and away from a sinkhole that opened up at lunchtime.

A firefighter told the Herald the council was responsible for fixing it, but Fire and Emergency were on the scene to put down cones and keep people away.

The firefighter said it would be easy for a motorist or cyclist to hit the sinkhole if they had not put cones around the hole.

The hole is about 50cm wide, but a firefighter said there was a larger void under the surface.

There is an area of about 2sqm. He said people should not stand on, lest the ground gives way.

The chasm has revealed extensive brickwork beneath the road.

The surrounding streets are very quiet, but traffic can continue to drive around.

- NZ Herald