Surf's up for Hawke's Bay as large wave swells hit the region

The ocean is putting on a show for beach-goers in Hawke's Bay as swells start to build.

MetService meteorologist Karl Loots said due to a low pressure system sweeping over New Zealand earlier in the week, southerlies are now lingering over Hawke's Bay.

"Those southerlies are causing the big swells that you see."

Loots said they would hit about 2.3m today, with high tide at roughly 3.30pm.

Huge swells were seen on the turn of tide at Haumoana where the coast has been battling for years against rising sea levels and coastal erosion.

Loots said they're expected to "quieten down" on Friday but on the weekend are set to get even bigger with swells around 2.5m expected.