Powerful winds attaining velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused approximately 90,000 households experiencing outages and led authorities to halt in excess of 100 aircraft departures, as reported by local media.
The gales are influencing the whole South Island and lower areas of the North Island, per the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have issued rare severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in key areas including Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been encouraged to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Broad Damage and Emergency Response
The electricity loss seems to be impacting homes mostly in the southern region, while agencies say that energy was being slowly brought back.
Domestic outlets have indicated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, and trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the gales.
Across Wellington, a individual was lost his life after being hit by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a individual was swept into moving cars on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a incident that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Flights in and out of the urban area have been halted due to the winds, while certain highways and community centers are shut down.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have issued a state of emergency, to assist disaster response efforts.
Strike Action During Harsh Weather
These intense gusts on today occur while numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been termed a "significant labor action", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the intense climate has compelled them to change various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or abandoned.
Similar gusts are affecting the neighboring country, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have declared flame prohibitions for apprehension regarding forest fires.
