Intense gales hitting velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 homes lacking electricity and compelled officials to call off more than 100 air travel services, based on local media.
The winds are impacting the whole South Island and southern sections of the northern region, as stated by the national weather agency.
New Zealand authorities have issued rare severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in core zones including Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been encouraged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for additional power and communication outages.
Widespread Damage and Crisis Measures
This outage is primarily influencing homes mostly in the southern region, while officials report that power was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have stated that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, and utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the winds.
Within the capital, a individual was fatally injured after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a woman was swept into moving cars on a thoroughfare by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the city have been halted due to the winds, whereas some roads and libraries are also closed.
Meanwhile local leaders have issued a crisis declaration, to support emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Amid Severe Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday coincide with tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees take part in what has been termed a "mega strike", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
However the extreme weather has forced them to alter certain arrangements, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or called off.
Similar gusts are impacting the neighboring country, ushering in a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have issued fire bans for apprehension regarding wildfires.
