Powerful gusts attaining velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 properties lacking electricity and forced agencies to call off in excess of 100 aircraft departures, based on regional news sources.
These gusts are influencing the entire South Island and southern parts of the North Island, according to the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have issued rare severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in central regions including Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been advised to remain inside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for additional utility disruptions.
Broad Impact and Crisis Measures
This outage is primarily influencing households mainly in the South Island, though agencies say that energy was being gradually reinstated.
Domestic outlets have stated that in some places structures have suffered roof damage, and trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the winds.
Across Wellington, a individual was lost his life after being struck by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was blown onto moving cars on a street by a powerful blast, in a incident that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the urban area have been cancelled as a result of the winds, and certain highways and community centers are also closed.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have declared a emergency situation, to assist emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Amid Extreme Conditions
The wild winds on today come as tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been termed a "mega strike", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
However the intense climate has forced them to change various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Similar gusts are affecting the nearby nation, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have issued fire bans for apprehension regarding forest fires.