Severe gales hitting velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced agencies to cancel more than 100 flights, according to domestic outlets.
The gales are influencing the complete southern region and southern parts of the northern region, according to the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have announced infrequent high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in central regions such as these major districts.
People have been urged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and prepare for more power and communication outages.
Broad Impact and Crisis Response
The power cut appears to be affecting households predominantly in the southern region, though authorities say that energy was being restored progressively.
Local media have indicated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas power lines and trees have been knocked down by the winds.
In Wellington, a person was fatally injured after being struck by a tree branch at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a street by a powerful blast, in a incident that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Air travel in and out of the city have been cancelled because of the gusts, whereas some roads and libraries are not operating.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have announced a crisis declaration, to support disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages During Severe Weather
These intense gusts on this day occur while many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been termed a "significant labor action", calling for better pay and working conditions.
But the intense climate has forced them to alter certain arrangements, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Similar gusts are affecting Australia, bringing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued burning restrictions for concern about forest fires.
