Powerful gusts attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 households experiencing outages and led agencies to call off more than 100 aircraft departures, according to regional news sources.
These gusts are influencing the entire South Island and southern parts of the northern region, according to the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have announced infrequent red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in key areas such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been encouraged to remain inside, avoid travel, and get ready for further power and communication outages.
Broad Destruction and Emergency Measures
The electricity loss seems to be impacting residences mainly in the South Island, while authorities state that power was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have indicated that in certain areas structures have suffered roof damage, while utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a individual was lost his life after being hit by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a individual was blown onto approaching vehicles on a street by a intensive burst, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights in and out of the urban area have been halted due to the weather, while various routes and public facilities are not operating.
At the same time Canterbury officials have issued a state of emergency, to assist disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages Alongside Extreme Conditions
The wild winds on this day come as numerous of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been termed a "major walkout", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the severe conditions has forced them to modify certain arrangements, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or abandoned.
Similar gusts are impacting Australia, ushering in a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have announced flame prohibitions for fear of forest fires.
