Intense gusts attaining speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 households without power and led authorities to cancel more than 100 air travel services, as reported by local media.
The winds are influencing the whole South Island and southern sections of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
New Zealand authorities have announced infrequent severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in key areas such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been encouraged to stay indoors, refrain from journeys, and get ready for more power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Measures
The electricity loss seems to be impacting homes mostly in the South Island, while agencies report that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have stated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, and utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a individual was fatally injured after being struck by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was blown onto moving cars on a street by a intensive burst, in a moment that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the metropolis have been suspended due to the gusts, whereas various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have issued a crisis declaration, to facilitate recovery activities.
Labor Protests During Severe Weather
The wild winds on this day coincide with numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been termed a "major walkout", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
However the extreme weather has forced them to alter various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Comparable winds are impacting Australia, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued burning restrictions for fear of forest fires.
