Powerful gales reaching speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and compelled agencies to cancel over 100 aircraft departures, as reported by regional news sources.
These gusts are influencing the entire South Island and lower areas of the North Island, per the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have released uncommon high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in central regions including Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been encouraged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and get ready for more electricity and network failures.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Measures
The power cut seems to be impacting residences mainly in the South Island, although authorities report that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have indicated that in some places structures have suffered roof damage, whereas power lines and trees have been knocked down by the winds.
In Wellington, a person was killed after being hit by a wooden fragment at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was swept into approaching vehicles on a road by a powerful blast, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights entering and leaving the metropolis have been suspended as a result of the winds, whereas certain highways and community centers are not operating.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have issued a emergency situation, to facilitate recovery activities.
Strike Action Alongside Extreme Weather
The wild winds on this day occur while numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been termed a "major walkout", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
However the intense climate has forced them to change various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the nearby nation, bringing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued flame prohibitions for fear of wildfires.
