Severe gusts reaching velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced officials to cancel in excess of 100 air travel services, according to domestic outlets.
These gusts are affecting the entire South Island and lower areas of the northern region, as stated by the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have announced uncommon severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in central regions such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been encouraged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and prepare for more electricity and network failures.
Broad Impact and Emergency Measures
This outage is primarily influencing homes mostly in the southern region, though officials state that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
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.
Across Wellington, a person was fatally injured after being impacted by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a woman was swept into approaching vehicles on a road by a intensive burst, in a incident that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Flights to and from the city have been cancelled because of the weather, and various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Meanwhile local leaders have issued a crisis declaration, to assist recovery activities.
Work Stoppages Amid Severe Weather
The wild winds on today occur while numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been termed a "significant labor action", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the extreme weather has compelled them to modify various scheduled activities, with several external protests moved indoors or abandoned.
Similar gusts are also sweeping Australia, ushering in a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have declared flame prohibitions for fear of bushfires.
