Severe gusts attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and led authorities to cancel over 100 aircraft departures, according to local media.
The winds are impacting the entire South Island and southern sections of the northern region, as stated by the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have issued rare red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in core zones such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been advised to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for additional electricity and network failures.
Extensive Impact and Crisis Response
This outage is primarily influencing residences predominantly in the South Island, though officials say that power was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have reported that in certain areas structures have suffered roof damage, and trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the gales.
In Wellington, a individual was killed after being struck by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a individual was blown onto approaching vehicles on a road by a intensive burst, in a moment that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the urban area have been suspended due to the gusts, whereas various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have announced a state of emergency, to assist emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages Alongside Harsh Conditions
The powerful gales on Thursday coincide with numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been called a "mega strike", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
But the severe conditions has pressured them to modify certain arrangements, with several external protests moved indoors or abandoned.
Comparable winds are also sweeping Australia, causing a heatwave to the remote areas.
Agencies have issued burning restrictions for fear of forest fires.
