Severe winds attaining speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 homes without power and led authorities to cancel in excess of 100 air travel services, according to domestic outlets.
The winds are affecting the complete southern region and lower areas of the northern region, as stated by the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have announced uncommon red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in core zones such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been urged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and prepare for more power and communication outages.
Broad Destruction and Crisis Response
This outage seems to be impacting homes mainly in the southern region, while agencies say that power was being restored progressively.
Domestic outlets have indicated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gales.
In Wellington, a person was fatally injured after being struck by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was swept into oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a moment that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the metropolis have been halted due to the winds, and various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Simultaneously local leaders have issued a crisis declaration, to support recovery activities.
Strike Action Amid Severe Weather
The powerful gales on today come as numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been described as a "major walkout", demanding better pay and working conditions.
Yet the intense climate has compelled them to modify various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or cancelled.
Comparable winds are impacting the nearby nation, ushering in a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have declared burning restrictions for fear of forest fires.
