Powerful gales hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced officials to cancel more than 100 flights, according to local media.
The gales are impacting the entire southern region and southern parts of the northern region, according to the national weather agency.
New Zealand authorities have released infrequent red wind warnings - the top caution category - in key areas such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been encouraged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for additional utility disruptions.
Extensive Impact and Emergency Response
This outage is primarily influencing households mainly in the southern region, although authorities report that power was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have reported that in some places structures have suffered roof damage, whereas trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the winds.
Across Wellington, a individual was killed after being hit by a wooden fragment at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a individual was blown onto approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a moment that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services in and out of the urban area have been cancelled because of the weather, whereas some roads and libraries are also closed.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have declared a state of emergency, to assist emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Alongside Severe Weather
These intense gusts on this day coincide with numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been described as a "major walkout", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the extreme weather has pressured them to alter certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or abandoned.
Comparable winds are also sweeping Australia, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the remote areas.
Agencies have issued flame prohibitions for concern about forest fires.
