Intense winds reaching velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 households experiencing outages and compelled authorities to cancel over 100 aircraft departures, based on domestic outlets.
The winds are influencing the entire South Island and southern parts of the North Island, according to the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have released rare high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in key areas encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been urged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for further utility disruptions.
Extensive Impact and Crisis Response
This outage seems to be impacting homes mostly in the southern region, though officials report that power was being restored progressively.
Domestic outlets have indicated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, while power lines and trees have been knocked down by the winds.
Across Wellington, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a individual was swept into oncoming traffic on a street by a powerful blast, in a incident that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel to and from the metropolis have been cancelled due to the gusts, while various routes and public facilities are also closed.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have issued a crisis declaration, to assist emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages Alongside Harsh Conditions
The wild winds on today occur while many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been called a "significant labor action", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
But the extreme weather has compelled them to modify certain arrangements, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the neighboring country, causing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have declared fire bans for apprehension regarding bushfires.
