Powerful gusts attaining velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in approximately 90,000 households without power and forced agencies to call off over 100 flights, as reported by regional news sources.
The winds are influencing the entire southern region and southern parts of the northern region, per the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have announced uncommon red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in central regions encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been urged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for further power and communication outages.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Measures
This outage seems to be impacting residences predominantly in the South Island, while officials say that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Local media have indicated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a individual was killed after being impacted by a tree branch at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a individual was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel to and from the urban area have been halted because of the weather, while various routes and public facilities are not operating.
At the same time local leaders have announced a state of emergency, to support emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Amid Severe Weather
These intense gusts on this day come as numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been termed a "significant labor action", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the extreme weather has forced them to alter various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Like conditions are impacting the neighboring country, ushering in a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Officials have declared fire bans for apprehension regarding forest fires.
