Powerful winds reaching velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and led authorities to call off over 100 flights, according to domestic outlets.
These gusts are influencing the complete southern region and southern parts of the North Island, per the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have announced uncommon severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in central regions such as Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been advised to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for additional power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Response
The power cut seems to be impacting homes mainly in the South Island, while authorities state that power was being restored progressively.
Local media have indicated that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, and power lines and trees have been toppled by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a man was lost his life after being struck by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a individual was blown onto approaching vehicles on a road by a powerful blast, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel to and from the metropolis have been halted because of the weather, and some roads and libraries are not operating.
Simultaneously local leaders have announced a emergency situation, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests During Severe Conditions
The wild winds on this day come as numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been called a "major walkout", demanding better pay and working conditions.
But the severe conditions has compelled them to alter certain arrangements, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Like conditions are affecting the nearby nation, causing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have announced fire bans for fear of forest fires.
