Powerful winds attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 homes experiencing outages and led agencies to call off more than 100 flights, as reported by domestic outlets.
The winds are influencing the complete South Island and southern sections of the North Island, according to the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have released infrequent severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in key areas encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been advised to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for more electricity and network failures.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Response
The power cut appears to be affecting residences mostly in the South Island, while authorities state that energy was being restored progressively.
Domestic outlets have stated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the winds.
Across Wellington, a person was killed after being impacted by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a woman was blown onto moving cars on a street by a intensive burst, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the metropolis have been halted as a result of the weather, whereas some roads and libraries are also closed.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have announced a emergency situation, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages Amid Extreme Weather
These intense gusts on this day coincide with tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been called a "significant labor action", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
However the extreme weather has pressured them to modify some of their plans, with several external protests moved indoors or called off.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the nearby nation, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have announced fire bans for apprehension regarding forest fires.
