Severe gusts hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 households without power and forced authorities to cancel more than 100 air travel services, as reported by local media.
These gusts are influencing the entire southern region and southern parts of the northern region, per the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have announced rare severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in core zones such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been encouraged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Response
The power cut is primarily influencing households predominantly in the southern region, although officials state that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have indicated that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, whereas trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a individual was fatally injured after being impacted by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was pushed toward approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a moment that was captured in a popular vehicle recording.
Air travel in and out of the urban area have been halted as a result of the weather, and various routes and public facilities are also closed.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have declared a state of emergency, to support recovery activities.
Labor Protests Alongside Severe Weather
These intense gusts on today occur while numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been termed a "significant labor action", demanding better pay and working conditions.
Yet the intense climate has forced them to change certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies relocated inside or cancelled.
Comparable winds are impacting Australia, bringing a heatwave to the country's outback.
Officials have issued burning restrictions for concern about forest fires.
