Severe gales hitting velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 homes without power and forced authorities to cancel more than 100 aircraft departures, as reported by regional news sources.
The gales are influencing the whole South Island and lower areas of the northern region, according to the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have issued rare red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in central regions encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been encouraged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and make arrangements for further power and communication outages.
Broad Damage and Crisis Response
The electricity loss seems to be impacting households predominantly in the southern region, while agencies say that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have stated that in various locations roofs have been ripped off houses, while trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the gales.
In Wellington, a person was killed after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a individual was swept into oncoming traffic on a street by a powerful blast, in a incident that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Flights to and from the urban area have been halted due to the gusts, whereas certain highways and community centers are not operating.
Meanwhile local leaders have issued a state of emergency, to facilitate recovery activities.
Work Stoppages Amid Severe Weather
These intense gusts on this day occur while tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been called a "major walkout", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the extreme weather has forced them to modify various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or abandoned.
Similar gusts are impacting the neighboring country, causing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have announced flame prohibitions for concern about bushfires.
