Intense winds reaching speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and led officials to cancel more than 100 air travel services, as reported by local media.
The winds are influencing the entire South Island and southern parts of the North Island, as stated by the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have announced rare high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in central regions such as Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been urged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for more electricity and network failures.
Broad Impact and Emergency Measures
This outage seems to be impacting homes predominantly in the South Island, though agencies report that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have stated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas power lines and trees have been toppled by the winds.
In Wellington, a individual was fatally injured after being impacted by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a female was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a incident that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the city have been suspended due to the weather, while some roads and libraries are shut down.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have announced a crisis declaration, to assist emergency management operations.
Strike Action Amid Severe Conditions
These intense gusts on today occur while tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part 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 various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or called off.
Like conditions are affecting the nearby nation, bringing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have declared flame prohibitions for fear of wildfires.
