Severe winds attaining speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 households lacking electricity and forced authorities to cancel in excess of 100 aircraft departures, based on local media.
The gales are impacting the entire South Island and lower areas of the northern region, according to the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in key areas encompassing these major districts.
People have been urged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Broad Impact and Emergency Response
This outage appears to be affecting households mostly in the South Island, although authorities say that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have indicated that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, and utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the gales.
Across Wellington, a individual was killed after being struck by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a woman was blown onto moving cars on a street by a powerful blast, in a incident that was filmed in a popular vehicle recording.
Air travel entering and leaving the city have been suspended because of the gusts, while various routes and public facilities are shut down.
Meanwhile local leaders have announced a crisis declaration, to support emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Amid Severe Weather
The wild winds on this day come as tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been termed a "mega strike", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the intense climate has compelled them to change some of their plans, with several external protests relocated inside or abandoned.
Comparable winds are affecting the neighboring country, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued burning restrictions for fear of forest fires.
