Intense gales attaining velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 homes experiencing outages and compelled authorities to cancel more than 100 aircraft departures, as reported by domestic outlets.
The gales are affecting the complete southern region and lower areas of the North Island, as stated by the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have issued uncommon severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in core zones including Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been urged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and get ready for additional electricity and network failures.
Broad Destruction and Emergency Response
This outage seems to be impacting residences predominantly in the southern region, although officials report that power was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have indicated that in certain areas structures have suffered roof damage, whereas trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a person was fatally injured after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a road by a intensive burst, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the urban area have been halted because of the weather, and some roads and libraries are also closed.
At the same time Canterbury officials have announced a crisis declaration, to assist recovery activities.
Labor Protests Amid Extreme Conditions
The wild winds on today coincide with many of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been described as a "significant labor action", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
However the extreme weather has forced them to change certain arrangements, with several external protests relocated inside or abandoned.
Comparable winds are affecting the nearby nation, causing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued burning restrictions for concern about bushfires.
