Severe gusts reaching speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 properties lacking electricity and led agencies to cancel in excess of 100 aircraft departures, as reported by regional news sources.
The winds are impacting the whole southern region and southern sections of the North Island, per the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have issued infrequent red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in central regions including Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been encouraged to remain inside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for further power and communication outages.
Broad Damage and Crisis Measures
The power cut seems to be impacting households mostly in the South Island, although agencies state that energy was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have reported that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, and power lines and trees have been knocked down by the gales.
In Wellington, a man was fatally injured after being impacted by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was blown onto oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a moment that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services in and out of the city have been halted as a result of the gusts, whereas various routes and public facilities are also closed.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have declared a emergency situation, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages Alongside Harsh Weather
These intense gusts on today come as tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been termed a "mega strike", requesting better pay and working conditions.
But the intense climate has compelled them to modify various scheduled activities, with several external protests relocated inside or abandoned.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the neighboring country, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued flame prohibitions for apprehension regarding bushfires.
