Powerful gales hitting speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced officials to halt more than 100 air travel services, according to local media.
The winds are impacting the entire southern region and southern parts of the North Island, per the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have released uncommon red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in key areas encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been advised to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and prepare for additional power and communication outages.
Widespread Damage and Crisis Response
The electricity loss seems to be impacting residences mainly in the southern region, though agencies state that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have reported that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, whereas trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a individual was killed after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a woman was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a road by a intensive burst, in a incident that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel in and out of the city have been cancelled because of the winds, whereas certain highways and community centers are shut down.
At the same time local leaders have declared a emergency situation, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Alongside Harsh Weather
These intense gusts on today coincide with tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been called a "significant labor action", demanding improved salaries and workplace environments.
However the extreme weather has pressured them to modify some of their plans, with some outdoor rallies relocated inside or called off.
Comparable winds are impacting the neighboring country, bringing a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Agencies have announced fire bans for concern about forest fires.
