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The Category 3 cyclone had maximum winds of 160km/h, but have decreased to 130km/h as it begins to weaken.
The winds caused chaos in Tonga, uprooting trees and disrupting communications.
Torrential rain and reports of coastal flooding from surging seas also hit the island.
A New Zealander in Nuku'alofa told TVNZ everything was “virtually horizontal”.
Chas Toogood said the winds were blowing so hard the heavy rain was going sideways, the trees were bending, and there were even "surfable waves" in the inland lagoon.
He described the conditions as “unbelievable and fearsome” saying the rain was like a thick curtain.
Aid agency Oxfam said its emergency aid supplies and personnel were on standby to help should they be needed.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said indications are that damage to Tonga from Cyclone Rene could be significant.
Meanwhile, the Fiji weather office say although the cyclone poses no immediate danger to Fiji, they were closely monitoring a new development in northern Fiji.
Director of Fiji Meteorological Department, Rajendra Prasad told FijiLive they have cancelled the strong wind warning for the Lau group early this morning.
But he said they were monitoring the situation in the north as things could change anytime.
Earlier forecasts predict 11-cyclones to form in the Pacific this cyclone season from November to March.
