Intense gales hitting velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 properties lacking electricity and forced officials to cancel more than 100 flights, based on regional news sources.
The gales are impacting the entire South Island and southern sections of the northern region, per the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have released uncommon severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in central regions such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been advised to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for further power and communication outages.
Broad Damage and Crisis Response
The power cut seems to be impacting homes predominantly in the southern region, although officials state that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have reported that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, and trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the winds.
In Wellington, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a female was swept into moving cars on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a moment that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel to and from the urban area have been halted due to the weather, and certain highways and community centers are also closed.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have declared a crisis declaration, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Strike Action Amid Extreme Weather
These intense gusts on today come as numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been termed a "major walkout", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the intense climate has forced them to modify some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Similar gusts are impacting Australia, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Agencies have issued fire bans for fear of bushfires.
