Powerful gales reaching speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 households experiencing outages and compelled agencies to cancel over 100 aircraft departures, as reported by local media.
These gusts are impacting the whole southern region and southern sections of the North Island, per the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have released rare red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in core zones such as Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been advised to stay indoors, avoid travel, and get ready for additional electricity and network failures.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Measures
The power cut appears to be affecting residences mostly in the South Island, though agencies say that power was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have reported that in some places structures have suffered roof damage, and power lines and trees have been brought down by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a person was lost his life after being hit by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a woman was swept into oncoming traffic on a road by a powerful blast, in a incident that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights entering and leaving the metropolis have been suspended because of the winds, whereas various routes and public facilities are not operating.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have issued a crisis declaration, to assist recovery activities.
Strike Action Amid Extreme Conditions
The powerful gales on this day come as tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees are engaged in what has been called a "mega strike", requesting better pay and working conditions.
Yet the severe conditions has forced them to modify some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or abandoned.
Similar gusts are impacting the neighboring country, bringing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued fire bans for concern about bushfires.
