Severe winds hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 properties lacking electricity and forced agencies to halt in excess of 100 aircraft departures, based on local media.
The winds are affecting the complete southern region and southern parts of the northern region, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have released rare high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in core zones including Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been advised to remain inside, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for additional electricity and network failures.
Extensive Impact and Crisis Measures
The electricity loss seems to be impacting households mainly in the South Island, while authorities report that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Local media have indicated that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, while utility poles and vegetation have been toppled by the gales.
In Wellington, a man was killed after being struck by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a individual was blown onto oncoming traffic on a road by a powerful blast, in a incident that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the city have been cancelled as a result of the winds, and certain highways and community centers are shut down.
Meanwhile local leaders have issued a state of emergency, to assist disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages Amid Severe Conditions
The wild winds on today come as numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been termed a "significant labor action", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
But the severe conditions has forced them to change various scheduled activities, with several external protests moved indoors or called off.
Comparable winds are affecting the neighboring country, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have issued burning restrictions for apprehension regarding bushfires.
