Norfolk Island residents are bracing for damage from Cyclone Gabrielle, which is expected to bring the most destructive weather to hit the remote outpost in three decades.
The cyclone was reclassified as a category-two storm - down from a category three - as it neared the Australian island territory.
The centre of the cyclone is predicted to pass over or near the island on Saturday evening, bringing wind gusts of up to 155 km/h and very heavy surf.
The Bureau of Meteorology said Cyclone Gabrielle was moving quickly on Saturday morning and was located about 325km northwest of Norfolk Island, home to around 2000 residents.
"Gale-force winds and high waves are currently developing and conditions are expected to worsen throughout the day as the centre of the cyclone approaches this evening," it said.
Norfolk Island administrator Eric Hutchinson said the territory had already experienced a "wild night" with some power outages, but the cyclone wasn't expected to make its full impact until later on Saturday afternoon.
Tourists were urged to leave ahead of the storm, but Mr Hutchinson said anywhere between 800 and 950 visitors likely remained on the island.
"We are well-prepared and we have just got to see this through, and then we will look at what resources are going to be needed in a recovery phase from tomorrow," he told ABC TV.
As the eye of the cyclone passes over the island, destructive winds may ease for a short period before regenerating, blowing from the opposite direction.
Teams of military and emergency personnel are on standby to respond as needed.
An emergency evacuation centre will be available on Saturday morning.
Mr Hutchinson said a cyclone of similar strength last passed over Norfolk Island in the mid-1990s and residents were bracing for the damage.
"We are expecting power outages, trees coming down, the potential for houses to lose roofs," he said.
Mr Hutchinson added that he was most concerned about damage to visitor accommodation and the island's hospital, but there were contingency plans in place to deal with those events.
New Zealand's Met Service expects the cyclone to weaken to a tropical low before it moves towards the North Island on Sunday, although it is predicted to deliver severe wet and windy weather to regions including flood-hit Auckland.
