Severe gales attaining speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 homes without power and forced authorities to cancel more than 100 air travel services, according to regional news sources.
The winds are influencing the complete South Island and southern sections of the North Island, per the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have announced infrequent severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in key areas encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been urged to remain inside, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for additional electricity and network failures.
Broad Damage and Crisis Response
This outage appears to be affecting homes mostly in the South Island, though authorities say that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have reported that in some places structures have suffered roof damage, and trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a individual was killed after being struck by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a female was blown onto oncoming traffic on a road by a intensive burst, in a moment that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Air travel in and out of the city have been cancelled as a result of the winds, whereas certain highways and community centers are also closed.
Simultaneously local leaders have issued a crisis declaration, to support recovery activities.
Strike Action Amid Extreme Weather
The wild winds on today come as tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees are engaged in what has been termed a "major walkout", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the extreme weather has compelled them to alter various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or called off.
Similar gusts are impacting the neighboring country, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have announced burning restrictions for apprehension regarding wildfires.
