Intense winds attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced officials to halt over 100 aircraft departures, according to local media.
The gales are affecting the entire southern region and lower areas of the North Island, according to the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have issued infrequent red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in central regions encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been advised to stay indoors, avoid travel, and get ready for additional power and communication outages.
Extensive Impact and Emergency Response
This outage is primarily influencing homes mostly in the southern region, although officials say that power was being restored progressively.
Local media have stated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a individual was fatally injured after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was swept into oncoming traffic on a road by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the city have been halted because of the gusts, whereas various routes and public facilities are shut down.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have declared a state of emergency, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages During Extreme Weather
These intense gusts on today coincide with numerous of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been called a "mega strike", requesting better pay and working conditions.
But the severe conditions has forced them to modify various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or called off.
Similar gusts are impacting Australia, ushering in a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Authorities have announced fire bans for fear of forest fires.
