Severe gales hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and compelled officials to halt more than 100 air travel services, based on local media.
The winds are affecting the entire South Island and southern parts of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have released uncommon severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in core zones encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been encouraged to remain inside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for additional power and communication outages.
Broad Destruction and Emergency Measures
This outage appears to be affecting residences predominantly in the South Island, though authorities report that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have stated that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, while power lines and trees have been brought down by the winds.
In Wellington, a man was fatally injured after being struck by a wooden fragment at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was blown onto moving cars on a street by a powerful blast, in a incident that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Flights to and from the metropolis have been halted as a result of the winds, while some roads and libraries are shut down.
At the same time local leaders have announced a crisis declaration, to support recovery activities.
Work Stoppages Amid Extreme Weather
The wild winds on today occur while numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been termed a "significant labor action", demanding better pay and working conditions.
But the extreme weather has compelled them to alter certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the nearby nation, ushering in a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have issued fire bans for fear of bushfires.
