Severe gales attaining velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced authorities to cancel in excess of 100 aircraft departures, according to local media.
The winds are affecting the entire South Island and southern parts of the northern region, as stated by the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have announced uncommon severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in key areas such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been advised to remain inside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for additional electricity and network failures.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Response
This outage appears to be affecting households mainly in the South Island, though agencies state that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have indicated that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, and power lines and trees have been toppled by the gales.
Within the capital, a person was fatally injured after being impacted by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a street by a intensive burst, in a event that was filmed in a popular vehicle recording.
Air travel entering and leaving the city have been cancelled because of the gusts, and some roads and libraries are also closed.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have issued a emergency situation, to support disaster response efforts.
Strike Action Amid Harsh Conditions
The powerful gales on Thursday coincide with many of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been termed a "significant labor action", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the severe conditions has pressured them to alter certain arrangements, with several external protests moved indoors or cancelled.
Similar gusts are affecting the nearby nation, causing a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Authorities have declared burning restrictions for fear of wildfires.
