Strong winds have brought down a large tree which toppled onto a garage and a house in Papanui.

Fire and Emergency crews were called to St James Avenue just before 9.00am and remain at the scene working to clear the area.

Chris Lynch Media understands no one was hurt.

Meanwhile, MetService is continuing to forecast strong winds across the region, this evening, more frequent and possibly heavy at night.

Gale northwesterlies, gusting 100 km/h but 120 km/h about the tops of Banks Peninsula, easing this afternoon.