Weather forecasters are warning the public to take special care on or near beaches in western parts of the country over the long weekend.
A deep low in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica is expected to generate sea swells that could reach nine metres between the Far South and the West Coast on Saturday.
They say it could pose a threat to fishers, surfers and others, particularly on the South Island's West Coast, where it is also likely to exacerbate coastal erosion.
Meterologist Rob Kerr spoke to Corin Dann.
