Powerful gusts attaining velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced officials to call off in excess of 100 air travel services, based on local media.
The winds are affecting the whole South Island and southern parts of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have released rare severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in key areas including Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been encouraged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for additional power and communication outages.
Broad Destruction and Emergency Measures
The power cut is primarily influencing homes predominantly in the South Island, though agencies say that energy was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have stated that in various locations roofs have been ripped off houses, and utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a man was killed after being hit by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a female was swept into moving cars on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a event that was recorded in a viral dashcam video.
Flights to and from the city have been suspended due to the gusts, and various routes and public facilities are shut down.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have announced a crisis declaration, to assist disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests Amid Severe Weather
The wild winds on today come as tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees are engaged in what has been called a "mega strike", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the intense climate has forced them to change some of their plans, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Similar gusts are affecting the nearby nation, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have declared flame prohibitions for fear of forest fires.
