Powerful winds attaining velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced authorities to call off in excess of 100 flights, as reported by local media.
These gusts are influencing the entire South Island and southern parts of the North Island, as stated by the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have released rare severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in core zones including these major districts.
Residents have been encouraged to avoid going outside, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for further power and communication outages.
Broad Damage and Emergency Measures
The electricity loss seems to be impacting homes mainly in the southern region, though authorities state that power was being restored progressively.
Regional news have indicated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, and utility poles and vegetation have been toppled by the gales.
In Wellington, a person was killed after being impacted by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a female was blown onto moving cars on a road by a intensive burst, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the city have been halted due to the winds, while certain highways and community centers are not operating.
At the same time local leaders have declared a crisis declaration, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Alongside Extreme Weather
These intense gusts on today come as tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been described as a "major walkout", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
However the severe conditions has forced them to alter certain arrangements, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or cancelled.
Like conditions are affecting the nearby nation, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the remote areas.
Officials have issued flame prohibitions for concern about forest fires.
