Severe gusts hitting velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 households without power and forced agencies to halt more than 100 aircraft departures, as reported by regional news sources.
The gales are affecting the complete South Island and southern parts of the northern region, per the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have issued rare severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in core zones encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been encouraged to remain inside, stay off roads, and prepare for additional power and communication outages.
Broad Destruction and Crisis Measures
This outage is primarily influencing residences mainly in the southern region, while officials report that power was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have indicated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, and power lines and trees have been brought down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a individual was fatally injured after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a female was blown onto approaching vehicles on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was recorded in a popular vehicle recording.
Flights to and from the city have been cancelled because of the gusts, and some roads and libraries are shut down.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have announced a emergency situation, to support disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages Amid Severe Weather
These intense gusts on today occur while many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been described as a "major walkout", demanding better pay and working conditions.
But the severe conditions has forced them to modify various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Like conditions are impacting the neighboring country, bringing a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Officials have announced flame prohibitions for fear of bushfires.
