Intense gales reaching velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 households lacking electricity and forced officials to halt more than 100 air travel services, based on local media.
The gales are affecting the entire South Island and southern sections of the northern region, per the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have announced infrequent high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in key areas such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been urged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for additional power and communication outages.
Broad Destruction and Emergency Measures
The power cut appears to be affecting homes mostly in the southern region, though agencies state that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have stated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been toppled by the gusts.
In Wellington, a person was killed after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was blown onto approaching vehicles on a street by a powerful blast, in a incident that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights in and out of the metropolis have been cancelled due to the gusts, and various routes and public facilities are shut down.
At the same time local leaders have declared a crisis declaration, to support emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages Amid Extreme Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday come as many of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been termed a "major walkout", demanding better pay and working conditions.
Yet the intense climate has compelled them to modify various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or cancelled.
Comparable winds are impacting the neighboring country, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have declared flame prohibitions for fear of wildfires.
