Severe winds hitting speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 properties experiencing outages and led officials to call off in excess of 100 aircraft departures, based on regional news sources.
The gales are impacting the entire southern region and southern sections of the North Island, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have released infrequent severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in key areas encompassing these major districts.
Locals have been urged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for further electricity and network failures.
Broad Destruction and Crisis Response
The power cut appears to be affecting households mostly in the South Island, while authorities say that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have stated that in certain areas structures have suffered roof damage, and utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a man was lost his life after being struck by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a woman was swept into oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a incident that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the city have been halted as a result of the gusts, whereas certain highways and community centers are shut down.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have declared a emergency situation, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Alongside Harsh Weather
The wild winds on today occur while tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been described as a "mega strike", demanding improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the extreme weather has pressured them to alter certain arrangements, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Comparable winds are impacting Australia, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Officials have declared burning restrictions for fear of bushfires.
