Severe gusts reaching velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced authorities to cancel more than 100 aircraft departures, as reported by regional news sources.
The winds are affecting the entire southern region and lower areas of the North Island, per the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have released rare red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in central regions such as Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been urged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and prepare for further power and communication outages.
Widespread Impact and Crisis Response
The electricity loss appears to be affecting homes predominantly in the southern region, though agencies state that power was being restored progressively.
Local media have indicated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, while trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the gales.
Across Wellington, a person was lost his life after being struck by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a individual was swept into oncoming traffic on a street by a powerful blast, in a moment that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the city have been halted due to the gusts, and certain highways and community centers are also closed.
At the same time Canterbury officials have announced a crisis declaration, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages Amid Harsh Conditions
The wild winds on this day occur while tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been called a "mega strike", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the extreme weather has forced them to change various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or cancelled.
Comparable winds are also sweeping Australia, causing a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Authorities have announced flame prohibitions for apprehension regarding wildfires.
