Intense winds attaining velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and led authorities to call off in excess of 100 air travel services, based on local media.
The gales are influencing the whole southern region and lower areas of the North Island, as stated by the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have released rare severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in key areas encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been advised to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and prepare for additional utility disruptions.
Extensive Impact and Crisis Response
The electricity loss is primarily influencing households predominantly in the southern region, though officials say that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have reported that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, and power lines and trees have been toppled by the gales.
Within the capital, a person was fatally injured after being impacted by a tree branch at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was swept into approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a incident that was recorded in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the urban area have been suspended because of the winds, and various routes and public facilities are also closed.
At the same time Canterbury officials have announced a state of emergency, to support recovery activities.
Labor Protests Amid Extreme Weather
The wild winds on Thursday coincide with numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been called a "mega strike", demanding improved salaries and workplace environments.
But the intense climate has pressured them to alter various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies relocated inside or called off.
Like conditions are also sweeping the neighboring country, causing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have issued burning restrictions for fear of forest fires.
