Powerful gales attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and led officials to cancel in excess of 100 aircraft departures, according to regional news sources.
The gales are impacting the whole southern region and lower areas of the northern region, per the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have issued infrequent severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in core zones such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been encouraged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and get ready for additional utility disruptions.
Extensive Damage and Crisis Response
The power cut appears to be affecting residences predominantly in the southern region, while agencies report that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have reported that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, while utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gales.
Within the capital, a person was lost his life after being struck by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a female was blown onto moving cars on a road by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel to and from the city have been halted due to the winds, whereas various routes and public facilities are also closed.
At the same time local leaders have declared a state of emergency, to assist recovery activities.
Labor Protests Amid Harsh Weather
The powerful gales on today come as many of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been termed a "mega strike", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
However the extreme weather has pressured them to alter various scheduled activities, with several external protests moved indoors or abandoned.
Like conditions are impacting the neighboring country, causing a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Agencies have announced fire bans for fear of forest fires.
