New Zealand bracing for impact from Cyclone Gabrielle

New Zealand is bracing for an impact from Cyclone Gabrielle.

Gabrielle has passed Norfolk Island and is moving southeast and will impact the area today, Monday, and Tuesday.

Cyclone Gabrielle poses a very high risk of what the Met Service calls "unprecedented weather".

There are alerts in effect for all of the North Island and for upper and central sections of the South Island.

Northern sections of the country will be the hardest hit with rainfall amounts of 350 mm possible and wind gusts to 130 km/h.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Gabrielle should continue moving away from the country in a southeast direction.