The Fiji Meterological Service says Cyclone Atu is expected to weaken in strength as it heads in a south south easterly direction.
Senior forecaster, Amit Singh says the cyclone is currently 280 kilometres north west of Matthew Island and is expected to move between Raoul Island and New Zealand.
Amit Singh says a hurricane warning, storm warning and gale warning remain in place for ships in the area.
"It is a Category Four Cyclone now but we expect it to gradually weaken and in the next twelve hours become a category three. It's mostly over the ocean where the gale and storm force wind is."
Fiji Met Service forecaster Amit Singh
