Cyclone Ivy has cleared Vanuatu and is tracking slowly towards New Caledonia.
Ivy is continuing to move south south-east and is expected to pass Walpole and Mathew Islands southwest of New Caledonia tonight.
Residents in the Loyalty Islands look set to escape the full brunt of the cyclone, although schools have closed and cars and people have been banned from the streets.
New Zealand's consul general in New Caledonia, Belinda Brown, says the islands have already been hit by heavy rain and strong winds.
"The Loyalty Islands they've been put on pre-alert 2, which means that nobody's allowed to leave their homes, they're to stay indoors, there'll be no schools. It's very organised here in New Caledonia, the French are very efficient, there are co-ordination meetings. The French High Commission tends to take responsbility for this working with the local government."
She says the Isle of Pines is also on pre-alert 2 and nOumea is expected to suffer heavy rain.
Ivy is expected to lie 200 to 300 kilometres northeast of Norfolk Island by Saturday night.
Winds in the cyclone have reached 90 knots gusting up to 110 knots.