Powerful gusts attaining speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 properties lacking electricity and led authorities to call off over 100 air travel services, based on regional news sources.
These gusts are affecting the entire southern region and lower areas of the North Island, per the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have announced uncommon high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in central regions including Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been urged to stay indoors, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for additional power and communication outages.
Broad Destruction and Emergency Response
This outage seems to be impacting homes mostly in the southern region, although officials report that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have indicated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, and trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the gales.
In Wellington, a person was lost his life after being struck by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a woman was pushed toward approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was filmed in a popular vehicle recording.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the urban area have been suspended because of the weather, while certain highways and community centers are shut down.
Meanwhile local leaders have issued a crisis declaration, to support recovery activities.
Strike Action During Extreme Weather
The wild winds on today come as numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been termed a "mega strike", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the intense climate has compelled them to change certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or abandoned.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the nearby nation, bringing a period of extreme heat to the remote areas.
Authorities have declared burning restrictions for fear of wildfires.
