Intense gusts attaining velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 properties experiencing outages and compelled authorities to cancel over 100 aircraft departures, based on local media.
These gusts are impacting the complete South Island and lower areas of the North Island, according to the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in core zones encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been advised to remain inside, avoid travel, and prepare for more electricity and network failures.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Response
This outage is primarily influencing households predominantly in the southern region, although officials say that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Local media have indicated that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, and utility poles and vegetation have been toppled by the gusts.
Within the capital, a individual was killed after being impacted by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was pushed toward moving cars on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a moment that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services in and out of the urban area have been halted due to the weather, and various routes and public facilities are shut down.
At the same time local leaders have announced a crisis declaration, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Strike Action During Severe Conditions
These intense gusts on Thursday coincide with numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been termed a "significant labor action", demanding improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the intense climate has pressured them to alter some of their plans, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or called off.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the nearby nation, bringing a heatwave to the country's outback.
Agencies have announced fire bans for apprehension regarding bushfires.
