Waves of up to eight metres are expected off the East Coast this weekend as Cyclone Cody tracks towards the country.
Forecasters are busy building a picture of just how bad the storm will be.
It's expected to make impact from tomorrow, with the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Hawke's Bay expected to bear the brunt of the storm.
Gisborne Civil Defence and Emergency Manager Ben Green spoke to Morning Report.