Powerful gales reaching speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and led agencies to call off more than 100 flights, based on local media.
The winds are impacting the complete southern region and lower areas of the northern region, per the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have issued infrequent red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in central regions including Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been advised to remain inside, avoid travel, and get ready for additional electricity and network failures.
Widespread Impact and Crisis Response
This outage appears to be affecting homes predominantly in the South Island, although agencies report that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have stated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been toppled by the gusts.
Within the capital, a person was fatally injured after being impacted by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a female was swept into oncoming traffic on a road by a powerful blast, in a moment that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights to and from the city have been halted because of the winds, while various routes and public facilities are shut down.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have declared a crisis declaration, to assist recovery activities.
Work Stoppages During Extreme Weather
The wild winds on today occur while tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees are engaged in what has been described as a "mega strike", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the intense climate has pressured them to alter various scheduled activities, with several external protests relocated inside or called off.
Comparable winds are impacting the neighboring country, bringing a heatwave to the remote areas.
Authorities have issued fire bans for fear of forest fires.
