Severe gusts hitting velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 households experiencing outages and compelled authorities to cancel over 100 aircraft departures, as reported by local media.
These gusts are influencing the entire South Island and southern parts of the northern region, per the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have issued infrequent severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in central regions including Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been encouraged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and prepare for additional power and communication outages.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Response
The power cut appears to be affecting homes predominantly in the South Island, while agencies say that power was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have indicated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas power lines and trees have been knocked down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a man was killed after being struck by a wooden fragment at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a individual was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a road by a powerful blast, in a incident that was captured in a popular vehicle recording.
Aircraft services in and out of the metropolis have been cancelled as a result of the gusts, and various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have issued a emergency situation, to assist disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages Amid Harsh Conditions
The wild winds on today coincide with tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been described as a "major walkout", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
However the intense climate has pressured them to change some of their plans, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Like conditions are impacting the nearby nation, causing a heatwave to the country's outback.
Officials have declared fire bans for apprehension regarding forest fires.
