Powerful gales reaching speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced agencies to cancel over 100 aircraft departures, according to domestic outlets.
These gusts are influencing the entire South Island and lower areas of the northern region, as stated by the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in central regions including Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been urged to remain inside, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Measures
This outage appears to be affecting residences predominantly in the southern region, although agencies say that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have reported that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, and utility poles and vegetation have been toppled by the gusts.
Within the capital, a person was fatally injured after being struck by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was swept into approaching vehicles on a road by a intensive burst, in a event that was captured in a popular vehicle recording.
Aircraft services to and from the city have been cancelled due to the weather, and some roads and libraries are also closed.
Simultaneously local leaders have issued a state of emergency, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Strike Action Alongside Severe Weather
These intense gusts on today occur while numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been called a "major walkout", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
But the extreme weather has forced them to modify various scheduled activities, with several external protests moved indoors or cancelled.
Similar gusts are affecting the neighboring country, bringing a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Authorities have issued burning restrictions for fear of bushfires.
