Severe gales attaining velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and led officials to halt in excess of 100 flights, according to regional news sources.
The winds are affecting the complete South Island and southern sections of the northern region, as stated by the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have issued rare severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in key areas such as Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been advised to stay indoors, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for additional electricity and network failures.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Measures
This outage seems to be impacting households mostly in the southern region, although agencies report that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have stated that in some places structures have suffered roof damage, and utility poles and vegetation have been toppled by the gusts.
In Wellington, a person was fatally injured after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was swept into approaching vehicles on a street by a powerful blast, in a incident that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services in and out of the urban area have been halted as a result of the winds, while various routes and public facilities are shut down.
At the same time local leaders have issued a state of emergency, to assist recovery activities.
Labor Protests Alongside Harsh Weather
The powerful gales on Thursday occur while many of educators, medical professionals and government employees are engaged in what has been termed a "major walkout", demanding better pay and working conditions.
However the severe conditions has pressured them to modify some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or cancelled.
Similar gusts are affecting the neighboring country, causing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have declared flame prohibitions for fear of wildfires.
