Severe winds hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 households lacking electricity and forced agencies to call off more than 100 aircraft departures, based on domestic outlets.
The winds are affecting the whole southern region and southern parts of the North Island, according to the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have issued infrequent severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in central regions such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been encouraged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and get ready for further electricity and network failures.
Widespread Destruction and Crisis Response
This outage is primarily influencing residences mainly in the South Island, though agencies state that energy was being restored progressively.
Local media have indicated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, whereas trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the winds.
Across Wellington, a man was lost his life after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a female was swept into moving cars on a road by a powerful blast, in a moment that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Air travel in and out of the city have been halted because of the winds, and various routes and public facilities are shut down.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have issued a emergency situation, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Alongside Severe Weather
The wild winds on today occur while tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees take part in what has been termed a "significant labor action", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the severe conditions has compelled them to modify certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or abandoned.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the nearby nation, causing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have declared fire bans for apprehension regarding bushfires.
