Severe winds reaching velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and compelled authorities to halt over 100 flights, based on local media.
The winds are impacting the complete southern region and southern parts of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have issued rare high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in central regions encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been advised to stay indoors, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for more utility disruptions.
Extensive Impact and Emergency Measures
This outage appears to be affecting homes predominantly in the South Island, while officials say that energy was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have reported that in various locations roofs have been ripped off houses, while power lines and trees have been toppled by the gales.
In Wellington, a man was killed after being impacted by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a female was blown onto moving cars on a thoroughfare by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was recorded in a viral dashcam video.
Air travel entering and leaving the urban area have been suspended as a result of the winds, while some roads and libraries are not operating.
At the same time local leaders have issued a crisis declaration, to support recovery activities.
Labor Protests Amid Extreme Weather
These intense gusts on this day coincide with tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been described as a "major walkout", requesting better pay and working conditions.
However the intense climate has compelled them to modify various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or called off.
Comparable winds are affecting the nearby nation, ushering in a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Officials have declared fire bans for fear of forest fires.
