Severe gusts reaching speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and compelled officials to cancel more than 100 air travel services, according to local media.
These gusts are impacting the complete southern region and southern parts of the North Island, per the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have released uncommon severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in central regions including Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been urged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and prepare for further electricity and network failures.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Response
This outage is primarily influencing residences predominantly in the South Island, while agencies report that energy was being restored progressively.
Local media have indicated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the winds.
Across Wellington, a person was killed after being hit by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Air travel to and from the city have been cancelled as a result of the weather, whereas various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have issued a state of emergency, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Strike Action Amid Severe Weather
These intense gusts on this day occur while tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been called a "major walkout", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the intense climate has compelled them to alter various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or called off.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the neighboring country, ushering in a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Officials have announced flame prohibitions for apprehension regarding forest fires.
