Powerful gusts hitting speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have caused around 90,000 homes without power and compelled agencies to halt over 100 air travel services, according to local media.
The gales are impacting the complete southern region and lower areas of the North Island, according to the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in central regions including Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been encouraged to remain inside, stay off roads, and prepare for further power and communication outages.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Measures
This outage appears to be affecting households predominantly in the South Island, while authorities report that power was being slowly brought back.
Local media have reported that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, and utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the winds.
Across Wellington, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a individual was blown onto moving cars on a road by a intensive burst, in a incident that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the city have been suspended because of the weather, whereas various routes and public facilities are not operating.
At the same time local leaders have declared a state of emergency, to facilitate recovery activities.
Strike Action During Harsh Conditions
The powerful gales on this day occur while numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been termed a "mega strike", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the extreme weather has pressured them to modify some of their plans, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Similar gusts are impacting the neighboring country, bringing a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Authorities have issued fire bans for concern about wildfires.
