Niue has escaped the worst of cyclone Tuni.

The category one cyclone passed over the island last night, with reports of power outages and strong winds taking down trees, blocking roads.

Director of the Niue Metrological service Sionetasi Pulehetoi said regardless of whether it's a big or a small cyclone, it's important the people of Niue are prepared.

He said the people of Niue have learnt a lot from Cyclone Heta in 2004, and some of the residents on the Western side of the island living close to the sea were evacuated.