Intense gusts reaching velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 homes lacking electricity and led agencies to call off more than 100 air travel services, according to regional news sources.
These gusts are impacting the whole southern region and southern sections of the northern region, according to the national weather agency.
New Zealand authorities have issued uncommon red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in central regions such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been advised to stay indoors, avoid travel, and get ready for further utility disruptions.
Broad Destruction and Emergency Measures
This outage appears to be affecting homes predominantly in the South Island, while agencies report that energy was being restored progressively.
Regional news have indicated that in various locations roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a person was lost his life after being hit by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was pushed toward approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the city have been cancelled as a result of the gusts, and some roads and libraries are not operating.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have issued a state of emergency, to assist disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests Amid Harsh Conditions
These intense gusts on Thursday come as tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been called a "mega strike", requesting better pay and working conditions.
Yet the extreme weather has forced them to modify various scheduled activities, with several external protests moved indoors or called off.
Like conditions are affecting the nearby nation, ushering in a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Officials have declared fire bans for fear of wildfires.
