Watch: Fibre broadband is out for nearly 1000 homes. Credits: Video - AM; Image - Supplied/iStock

Almost 1000 Auckland households started the day without internet after a fibre feeder cable was chewed by rats.

Broadband has been out for 969 homes across Te Atatū in west Auckland since just after 5pm on Tuesday.

Technicians have since found the damage was caused by rodents chewing through the armoured coating of the cables and then the fibres.

"Our technicians are set to start restoring connections… but we are first arranging traffic management as the cable is on a roadway," a spokesman for internet infrastructure provider Chrous said.

"We're sorry for the inconvenience that this will have caused to those without their fibre service yesterday evening and this morning, and we'll work to restore their services as quickly as possible."

A note on Chorus' website said as of midday there was currently no estimated time for when people could be back online.