Powerful gales hitting velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 households lacking electricity and forced agencies to halt over 100 air travel services, based on regional news sources.
The gales are influencing the complete southern region and southern sections of the North Island, per the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have issued rare red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in central regions such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been encouraged to remain inside, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for further electricity and network failures.
Widespread Destruction and Crisis Measures
This outage is primarily influencing residences mostly in the South Island, although agencies say that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have indicated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the gales.
In Wellington, a man was killed after being struck by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a woman was pushed toward moving cars on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a moment that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel to and from the city have been cancelled due to the weather, and certain highways and community centers are not operating.
At the same time Canterbury officials have declared a state of emergency, to support disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages During Harsh Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday come as tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been called a "significant labor action", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
However the severe conditions has pressured them to alter various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Similar gusts are impacting Australia, ushering in a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have declared fire bans for concern about bushfires.
