Meteorologists are monitoring weather conditions near the Solomon Islands they say could lead to a tropical cyclone forming and hitting New Zealand's North Island next week.
The MetService says more will be known by Friday about the possibility.
Spokesperson Daniel Corbett says there is no guarantee of a cyclone, but a potential low developing in the warm waters of the tropics could become one and drift into the northern Tasman Sea sometime over the weekend or early next week.
Mr Corbett says even if a cyclone reaches New Zealand, it could just bring heavy rain - but forecasters are days away from knowing how severe the weather might be.
