Powerful gales attaining speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and compelled authorities to cancel in excess of 100 aircraft departures, as reported by regional news sources.
The winds are affecting the entire South Island and lower areas of the North Island, per the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have released rare high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in central regions such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been encouraged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and prepare for additional utility disruptions.
Broad Destruction and Emergency Response
This outage seems to be impacting households predominantly in the South Island, although agencies state that power was being slowly brought back.
Domestic outlets have reported that in some places homes have lost their roofs, whereas trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the winds.
In Wellington, a person was killed after being impacted by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was swept into moving cars on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was filmed in a popular vehicle recording.
Aircraft services in and out of the city have been halted as a result of the winds, while some roads and libraries are shut down.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have announced a state of emergency, to facilitate recovery activities.
Labor Protests Amid Severe Weather
The powerful gales on today coincide with numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been termed a "significant labor action", calling for better pay and working conditions.
Yet the intense climate has pressured them to alter some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Comparable winds are impacting the neighboring country, causing a period of extreme heat to the remote areas.
Authorities have announced flame prohibitions for apprehension regarding forest fires.
