Intense gusts reaching velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and led authorities to cancel more than 100 air travel services, as reported by domestic outlets.
The winds are impacting the complete southern region and southern sections of the North Island, according to the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have announced rare high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in core zones encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been urged to stay indoors, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for more electricity and network failures.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Measures
The power cut appears to be affecting homes mostly in the southern region, although agencies report that energy was being restored progressively.
Domestic outlets have indicated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the winds.
In Wellington, a man was killed after being hit by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a individual was swept into moving cars on a street by a intensive burst, in a moment that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the urban area have been halted because of the gusts, and some roads and libraries are shut down.
Meanwhile local leaders have declared a state of emergency, to assist recovery activities.
Strike Action Amid Harsh Conditions
These intense gusts on today coincide with numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been called a "mega strike", demanding better pay and working conditions.
Yet the intense climate has forced them to change various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or cancelled.
Similar gusts are affecting the neighboring country, bringing a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Officials have declared flame prohibitions for concern about wildfires.
