Powerful winds reaching speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in approximately 90,000 households lacking electricity and led officials to call off over 100 flights, based on regional news sources.
These gusts are influencing the whole southern region and lower areas of the North Island, as stated by the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have issued uncommon severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in core zones encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been encouraged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for more electricity and network failures.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Response
This outage appears to be affecting residences mainly in the South Island, while agencies state that power was being restored progressively.
Local media have indicated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a man was lost his life after being struck by a wooden fragment at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a street by a powerful blast, in a incident that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services in and out of the city have been suspended due to the winds, and certain highways and community centers are shut down.
At the same time Canterbury officials have announced a state of emergency, to assist disaster response efforts.
Strike Action Amid Extreme Conditions
The wild winds on today occur while tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been described as a "mega strike", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
However the intense climate has forced them to modify some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or abandoned.
Comparable winds are also sweeping Australia, causing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have declared flame prohibitions for apprehension regarding wildfires.
