Powerful winds attaining speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 properties experiencing outages and led authorities to call off in excess of 100 flights, based on regional news sources.
The winds are influencing the entire South Island and lower areas of the North Island, as stated by the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have announced rare severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in central regions including Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been advised to stay indoors, stay off roads, and make arrangements for more electricity and network failures.
Broad Destruction and Emergency Response
The power cut is primarily influencing homes mostly in the southern region, though authorities state that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have stated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, and power lines and trees have been toppled by the winds.
In Wellington, a individual was lost his life after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was blown onto oncoming traffic on a street by a intensive burst, in a incident that was filmed in a popular vehicle recording.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the city have been suspended as a result of the gusts, while certain highways and community centers are shut down.
At the same time Canterbury officials have issued a crisis declaration, to assist disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests Alongside Extreme Conditions
The powerful gales on today occur while many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been termed a "significant labor action", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
However the severe conditions has forced them to change various scheduled activities, with several external protests relocated inside or abandoned.
Similar gusts are affecting Australia, causing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have declared fire bans for apprehension regarding wildfires.
