Powerful winds hitting speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 households without power and led authorities to halt more than 100 air travel services, according to regional news sources.
The gales are influencing the whole southern region and lower areas of the North Island, as stated by the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have announced infrequent high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in key areas such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been urged to stay indoors, refrain from journeys, and prepare for additional power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Measures
The electricity loss appears to be affecting residences mostly in the South Island, while agencies state that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have indicated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, and power lines and trees have been brought down by the gales.
Within the capital, a man was lost his life after being impacted by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was blown onto moving cars on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights in and out of the city have been suspended because of the gusts, and some roads and libraries are not operating.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have announced a state of emergency, to facilitate recovery activities.
Labor Protests Alongside Harsh Conditions
The wild winds on today occur while tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been termed a "major walkout", demanding better pay and working conditions.
However the extreme weather has pressured them to change certain arrangements, with several external protests relocated inside or called off.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the neighboring country, causing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have announced flame prohibitions for concern about forest fires.
