Powerful gusts reaching velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have caused around 90,000 properties experiencing outages and forced agencies to halt over 100 air travel services, according to regional news sources.
These gusts are influencing the entire southern region and southern sections of the northern region, according to the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have released infrequent high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in central regions such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been urged to remain inside, avoid travel, and get ready for additional utility disruptions.
Broad Destruction and Crisis Measures
This outage appears to be affecting homes predominantly in the southern region, although agencies say that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have reported that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, and trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the gusts.
Within the capital, a individual was fatally injured after being hit by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a individual was pushed toward moving cars on a road by a intensive burst, in a moment that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services in and out of the urban area have been cancelled as a result of the winds, while various routes and public facilities are also closed.
At the same time Canterbury officials have announced a emergency situation, to support recovery activities.
Labor Protests During Extreme Weather
The powerful gales on today occur while numerous of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been termed a "significant labor action", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
However the severe conditions has forced them to alter certain arrangements, with several external protests relocated inside or abandoned.
Similar gusts are also sweeping Australia, causing a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Officials have declared fire bans for fear of forest fires.
