Severe winds attaining speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and led agencies to cancel more than 100 aircraft departures, according to domestic outlets.
The winds are impacting the entire southern region and lower areas of the northern region, as stated by the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have released uncommon severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in key areas such as Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been encouraged to stay indoors, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for further power and communication outages.
Broad Impact and Emergency Response
The power cut appears to be affecting homes mostly in the southern region, though agencies state that energy was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have stated that in various locations roofs have been ripped off houses, while trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the winds.
Across Wellington, a man was killed after being hit by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a woman was swept into moving cars on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the city have been cancelled due to the winds, while various routes and public facilities are shut down.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have issued a emergency situation, to assist recovery activities.
Labor Protests Alongside Extreme Weather
The powerful gales on this day come as tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been termed a "major walkout", requesting better pay and working conditions.
Yet the severe conditions has compelled them to modify various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or cancelled.
Like conditions are affecting the neighboring country, causing a period of extreme heat to the remote areas.
Authorities have issued fire bans for concern about forest fires.
