Severe winds attaining speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have caused approximately 90,000 properties lacking electricity and forced officials to call off over 100 flights, according to local media.
These gusts are impacting the complete South Island and southern sections of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
New Zealand authorities have released rare red wind warnings - the top caution category - in central regions including Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been encouraged to remain inside, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for additional power and communication outages.
Extensive Impact and Crisis Measures
The power cut seems to be impacting homes predominantly in the South Island, while authorities state that power was being slowly brought back.
Local media have stated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, and power lines and trees have been toppled by the gales.
Within the capital, a man was fatally injured after being struck by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a female was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a road by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the urban area have been halted as a result of the weather, and various routes and public facilities are not operating.
At the same time Canterbury officials have declared a state of emergency, to support recovery activities.
Work Stoppages During Severe Conditions
These intense gusts on this day come as numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been termed a "major walkout", demanding better pay and working conditions.
But the intense climate has forced them to change certain arrangements, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or called off.
Comparable winds are impacting the nearby nation, causing a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Agencies have declared fire bans for fear of wildfires.