Severe gales hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 households lacking electricity and led agencies to call off in excess of 100 flights, based on regional news sources.
The winds are affecting the whole South Island and southern sections of the northern region, as stated by the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have announced rare red wind warnings - the top caution category - in central regions including these major districts.
Residents have been advised to remain inside, refrain from journeys, and get ready for additional electricity and network failures.
Broad Damage and Crisis Response
This outage seems to be impacting residences mostly in the South Island, while agencies report that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Domestic outlets have reported that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, whereas power lines and trees have been toppled by the gusts.
In Wellington, a man was lost his life after being hit by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a individual was swept into moving cars on a thoroughfare by a strong gust of wind, in a moment that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the urban area have been suspended because of the winds, while various routes and public facilities are shut down.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have declared a state of emergency, to support emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages Amid Severe Weather
These intense gusts on this day occur while tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been described as a "mega strike", calling for better pay and working conditions.
However the intense climate has pressured them to alter some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Comparable winds are affecting the neighboring country, ushering in a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued flame prohibitions for fear of forest fires.
