Severe gusts reaching speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 properties lacking electricity and led authorities to cancel in excess of 100 flights, as reported by regional news sources.
The gales are impacting the complete southern region and southern parts of the northern region, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have announced infrequent high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in key areas encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been encouraged to avoid going outside, refrain from journeys, and get ready for additional electricity and network failures.
Widespread Impact and Crisis Measures
This outage appears to be affecting households mostly in the southern region, though officials state that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Local media have indicated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, while utility poles and vegetation have been toppled by the winds.
In Wellington, a individual was lost his life after being impacted by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was swept into oncoming traffic on a road by a powerful blast, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel to and from the city have been cancelled as a result of the winds, whereas some roads and libraries are shut down.
Meanwhile local leaders have issued a crisis declaration, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages During Harsh Weather
The powerful gales on today coincide with tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been called a "mega strike", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
However the extreme weather has compelled them to change various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or called off.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the nearby nation, bringing a period of extreme heat to the remote areas.
Agencies have declared flame prohibitions for apprehension regarding bushfires.
