With no impact now expected on NZ, this is the final update.

Alfred has slightly weakened overnight and is now a cat 3. The weather system's surroundings are now decoupling the lower and mid levels, with warm sea temperatures of 28°C and plenty of moisture supporting it. It’s moving southward toward a stronger wind area near a weakening upper-level weather pattern. This setup should stay steady over the weekend. 

Alfred is being steered southwards by an upper trough to the southwest and a subtropical ridge to the east. It is expected to move southwest nearly Qld coast through Saturday due to a strengthening mid-level ridge to the south. On Sunday, a stronger upper trough will likely steer Alfred southeast, away from the coast. However, by mid-next week, there’s growing confidence that Alfred may shift back towards the southern Queensland coast as another ridge develops to the south.