Severe winds reaching velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced agencies to halt over 100 air travel services, based on regional news sources.
The winds are influencing the entire South Island and lower areas of the North Island, according to the national weather agency.
New Zealand authorities have released rare red wind warnings - the top caution category - in key areas encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been encouraged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Widespread Destruction and Crisis Response
The power cut seems to be impacting residences mainly in the southern region, although officials say that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have stated that in some places structures have suffered roof damage, whereas trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the winds.
Within the capital, a person was lost his life after being hit by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a woman was swept into moving cars on a street by a intensive burst, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights to and from the urban area have been suspended because of the winds, while some roads and libraries are shut down.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have issued a crisis declaration, to assist disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests During Extreme Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday coincide with numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been called a "significant labor action", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the extreme weather has compelled them to change some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or cancelled.
Comparable winds are impacting Australia, causing a heatwave to the country's outback.
Authorities have issued fire bans for apprehension regarding bushfires.
