Severe gusts reaching speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have caused approximately 90,000 households experiencing outages and led authorities to call off over 100 air travel services, as reported by local media.
These gusts are affecting the entire South Island and southern sections of the North Island, according to the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in key areas encompassing these major districts.
Locals have been urged to remain inside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for more utility disruptions.
Broad Impact and Crisis Response
This outage appears to be affecting residences mostly in the southern region, although officials report that energy was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have indicated that in certain areas structures have suffered roof damage, and trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the gales.
Within the capital, a man was lost his life after being hit by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a female was blown onto approaching vehicles on a road by a powerful blast, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the urban area have been suspended due to the gusts, and certain highways and community centers are also closed.
At the same time Canterbury officials have declared a state of emergency, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Alongside Severe Weather
These intense gusts on today come as many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been termed a "significant labor action", demanding improved salaries and workplace environments.
But the intense climate has compelled them to alter various scheduled activities, with several external protests moved indoors or called off.
Comparable winds are impacting Australia, causing a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Authorities have declared fire bans for apprehension regarding bushfires.
