Intense gales attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in approximately 90,000 homes lacking electricity and led officials to call off in excess of 100 aircraft departures, based on regional news sources.
The winds are impacting the complete South Island and southern parts of the North Island, according to the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have announced infrequent severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in central regions including Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been advised to remain inside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Widespread Impact and Crisis Response
This outage is primarily influencing residences mostly in the southern region, though officials report that energy was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have reported that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, and utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gales.
Within the capital, a man was lost his life after being hit by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a moment that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights entering and leaving the city have been cancelled due to the weather, and some roads and libraries are shut down.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have issued a state of emergency, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages Alongside Extreme Weather
The powerful gales on today occur while tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been called a "major walkout", demanding better pay and working conditions.
But the extreme weather has pressured them to change various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies relocated inside or called off.
Like conditions are also sweeping the neighboring country, causing a heatwave to the country's outback.
Agencies have announced fire bans for concern about forest fires.
