Powerful winds reaching speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced officials to call off more than 100 air travel services, based on domestic outlets.
The winds are impacting the complete South Island and lower areas of the northern region, as stated by the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have announced uncommon severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in core zones such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been urged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and get ready for additional power and communication outages.
Broad Impact and Emergency Response
The electricity loss is primarily influencing households mainly in the southern region, though agencies state that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have indicated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, while trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the winds.
In Wellington, a person was killed after being hit by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a female was pushed toward approaching vehicles on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights to and from the city have been cancelled as a result of the weather, and various routes and public facilities are shut down.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have issued a state of emergency, to facilitate recovery activities.
Labor Protests During Severe Conditions
The wild winds on this day coincide with numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been called a "significant labor action", demanding improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the intense climate has compelled them to change various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies relocated inside or abandoned.
Like conditions are impacting Australia, causing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued burning restrictions for apprehension regarding wildfires.
