Intense gales reaching velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 properties experiencing outages and led authorities to cancel in excess of 100 aircraft departures, as reported by regional news sources.
These gusts are affecting the entire South Island and lower areas of the northern region, per the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have issued rare high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in core zones including Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been urged to stay indoors, refrain from journeys, and prepare for further power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Measures
The power cut appears to be affecting homes predominantly in the southern region, although officials say that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Domestic outlets have reported that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, while trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a individual was fatally injured after being hit by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a individual was blown onto moving cars on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a event that was captured in a popular vehicle recording.
Air travel in and out of the urban area have been cancelled as a result of the winds, and certain highways and community centers are not operating.
At the same time Canterbury officials have announced a crisis declaration, to support recovery activities.
Work Stoppages During Extreme Conditions
The wild winds on today coincide with many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been called a "major walkout", demanding better pay and working conditions.
However the severe conditions has forced them to alter various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or called off.
Similar gusts are also sweeping Australia, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have declared fire bans for apprehension regarding bushfires.