Powerful gales attaining speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 households experiencing outages and led agencies to call off over 100 flights, based on regional news sources.
These gusts are impacting the whole South Island and southern sections of the North Island, as stated by the national weather agency.
New Zealand authorities have issued uncommon severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in key areas encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been encouraged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and prepare for more electricity and network failures.
Extensive Impact and Emergency Measures
This outage appears to be affecting homes mostly in the South Island, although agencies state that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have indicated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas power lines and trees have been toppled by the winds.
Within the capital, a person was lost his life after being hit by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a female was pushed toward moving cars on a road by a powerful blast, in a incident that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the metropolis have been halted because of the winds, while some roads and libraries are shut down.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have issued a state of emergency, to assist recovery activities.
Work Stoppages Amid Harsh Conditions
The wild winds on this day occur while numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been described as a "significant labor action", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the intense climate has compelled them to alter various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Like conditions are affecting Australia, ushering in a heatwave to the country's outback.
Agencies have declared flame prohibitions for concern about wildfires.
