Intense gusts reaching velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have caused approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and compelled officials to halt more than 100 air travel services, based on regional news sources.
These gusts are influencing the whole southern region and southern parts of the northern region, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have announced rare high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in central regions including Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been advised to remain inside, refrain from journeys, and prepare for further electricity and network failures.
Broad Damage and Crisis Response
This outage appears to be affecting residences predominantly in the southern region, while authorities report that energy was being restored progressively.
Local media have indicated that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, whereas power lines and trees have been knocked down by the gales.
Within the capital, a man was killed after being impacted by a tree branch at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was swept into approaching vehicles on a road by a intensive burst, in a moment that was recorded in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services in and out of the metropolis have been cancelled because of the winds, whereas certain highways and community centers are shut down.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have declared a state of emergency, to assist disaster response efforts.
Strike Action Amid Extreme Weather
The wild winds on today come as many of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been called a "significant labor action", calling for better pay and working conditions.
But the intense climate has pressured them to alter some of their plans, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or called off.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the nearby nation, ushering in a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have issued fire bans for concern about bushfires.
