Severe winds hitting speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 households without power and led officials to cancel in excess of 100 air travel services, as reported by local media.
These gusts are influencing the entire southern region and southern parts of the North Island, per the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have issued rare high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in core zones encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been urged to remain inside, refrain from journeys, and get ready for additional power and communication outages.
Extensive Impact and Crisis Measures
The power cut appears to be affecting households predominantly in the South Island, although agencies say that power was being gradually reinstated.
Domestic outlets have stated that in certain areas structures have suffered roof damage, and power lines and trees have been knocked down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a individual was lost his life after being struck by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was swept into moving cars on a street by a intensive burst, in a incident that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the metropolis have been cancelled because of the gusts, and various routes and public facilities are shut down.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have declared a emergency situation, to assist disaster response efforts.
Strike Action Alongside Harsh Conditions
These intense gusts on today coincide with tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees are engaged in what has been called a "major walkout", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the extreme weather has compelled them to change certain arrangements, with several external protests relocated inside or cancelled.
Comparable winds are impacting the nearby nation, ushering in a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Agencies have declared flame prohibitions for fear of forest fires.
