Powerful winds reaching speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 households lacking electricity and compelled agencies to halt over 100 aircraft departures, according to local media.
The winds are affecting the complete southern region and southern sections of the North Island, according to the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have released uncommon high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in key areas including Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been urged to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Measures
The power cut is primarily influencing households mainly in the southern region, though authorities state that energy was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have indicated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been toppled by the winds.
Within the capital, a man was killed after being impacted by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was swept into approaching vehicles on a road by a intensive burst, in a incident that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel to and from the city have been suspended because of the gusts, while various routes and public facilities are shut down.
Simultaneously local leaders have issued a crisis declaration, to support disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests Alongside Harsh Weather
These intense gusts on today come as tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees take part in what has been termed a "major walkout", demanding better pay and working conditions.
But the severe conditions has forced them to alter some of their plans, with several external protests relocated inside or abandoned.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the nearby nation, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have declared flame prohibitions for fear of bushfires.
