Motorists are being advised to take care on Hawke's Bay roads this Easter and drive to the conditions if they want a repeat of last Easter's zero road toll.
With ex-Cyclone Cook due to make landfall this evening, Senior Sergeant Stu Fleming said caution would be necessary on the roads.
"If their decision is to drive, then they should drive to the conditions, take extra care and rest breaks on any lengthy trips," he said.
Senior Sergeant Fleming did not advise against travelling, but said people should check with the relevant authorities first.
"With the deteriorating weather conditions we would advise motorists to check the Metservice and NZTA websites before undertaking a journey."
Metservice issued a strong wind warning for Hawke's Bay, which would be in effect from this evening to early tomorrow morning.
A weather watch for heavy rain was also issued for the Hawke's Bay region.
Despite zero fatilities on Hawke's Bay roads last Easter, there were four in New Zealand - 2 in the South Island, one near Paraparaumu and one in Manawatu.
There were 19 deaths on the country's roads over the last Christmas/New Year holiday period, up from 12 the previous year.
Hawke's Bay had zero road fatalities over Christmas and New Year.
The regional road toll for 2016 was 13, down from 17 in 2015.
New Zealand's national road toll went up last year to 327, from a record low of 253 in 2013.
Police have taken to social media recently to advise people on driving safely.
Central District Police posted a video of an officer singing road safety messages on Facebook on Monday, which received 170,000 views.
A NZ Police post from earlier today asked motorists to wear their seatbelts and not drink and drive.
Associate Transport Minister David Bennett has advised people to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.
Metservice meteorologist Lisa Murray said Hawke's Bay residents should check with NZTA before travelling, or simply wait until Friday when the weather would improve.
Hawke's Bay should fare better than most of the North Island.
A state of emergency was declared in the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel, and heavy rain warnings were issued for Auckland, Northland, Waikato and parts of the central North Island.