With predictions of heavy rain and gale force winds this weekend with approaching Tropical Cyclone Lusi, motorists are being asked to take care on Bay of Plenty roads.

The NZ Transport Agency says drivers need to take extreme care as roads surfaces can be very slippery after a long dry spell.

Motorists are being urged to take care on the roads this weekend and boaties are being warned to check their moorings before the storm hits.

The roading agency says throughout the recent dry spell, dust, dirt, oil and other debris builds up on the road surface during dry spells and when it rains, it can make driving conditions slippery and dangerous when rain comes.

'Conditions are at the worst in the first few hours of rain, and light rain is more of a challenge than a heavy downpour.

'In poor weather drivers need to change their driving habits and respect the conditions. That means reducing their driving speed below the legal limit and increasing following distances as vehicles need two to three times more stopping distance in wet weather. Drivers are urged toalso take it easy on corners.”

People are also being urged to check highway information before heading out onto the roads to check conditions.

Boaties are also being urged to check their boat moorings before the tropical cyclone hits land this weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Lusi is being monitored by the Ministry of Civil Defence as it moves from Vanuatu, past Fiji to New Zealand. They expect Lusi to arrive over northern New Zealand on Saturday or early Sunday, and then to track southwards over central New Zealand before moving out to sea east of the South Island on Monday.

While the cyclone is expected to change to a sub-tropical weather system as it approaches New Zealand, it's still expected to be a dangerous storm, with severe weather is likely to affect many regions from Northland down to Canterbury.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council maritime operations manager Reuben Fraser says boat owners should be prepared for severe weather and make sure their boats were secured.

'It's not going to be a weekend for a jaunt on the water.”