Severe gales reaching velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in approximately 90,000 households experiencing outages and compelled authorities to cancel more than 100 air travel services, according to local media.
These gusts are affecting the whole South Island and southern sections of the North Island, according to the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have issued infrequent severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in key areas including these major districts.
Residents have been urged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Broad Destruction and Crisis Response
The power cut appears to be affecting homes predominantly in the southern region, though officials say that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have reported that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, and power lines and trees have been brought down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a individual was killed after being hit by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a individual was blown onto oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a moment that was recorded in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services to and from the city have been cancelled due to the winds, while various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Meanwhile local leaders have announced a crisis declaration, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Amid Extreme Weather
The wild winds on today come as numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been called a "significant labor action", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the severe conditions has compelled them to change some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or cancelled.
Similar gusts are impacting the neighboring country, ushering in a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have declared burning restrictions for fear of forest fires.
