Severe gales hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 households lacking electricity and led authorities to halt in excess of 100 flights, based on regional news sources.
The gales are affecting the complete South Island and southern parts of the northern region, per the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have released infrequent red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in key areas including Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been urged to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and get ready for additional power and communication outages.
Extensive Damage and Crisis Response
The power cut appears to be affecting residences mainly in the southern region, while officials report that power was being slowly brought back.
Local media have reported that in some places structures have suffered roof damage, while trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the winds.
In Wellington, a man was killed after being impacted by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was blown onto moving cars on a road by a intensive burst, in a event that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services to and from the urban area have been cancelled as a result of the weather, and certain highways and community centers are not operating.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have declared a state of emergency, to assist recovery activities.
Labor Protests During Extreme Conditions
The powerful gales on this day occur while tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees are engaged in what has been described as a "major walkout", calling for better pay and working conditions.
Yet the extreme weather has forced them to change certain arrangements, with several external protests relocated inside or cancelled.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the neighboring country, bringing a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Agencies have issued burning restrictions for apprehension regarding wildfires.
