Intense gusts attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 properties lacking electricity and forced officials to halt in excess of 100 aircraft departures, based on domestic outlets.
These gusts are impacting the whole South Island and southern parts of the North Island, according to the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have released rare red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in key areas such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been advised to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and get ready for more electricity and network failures.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Measures
This outage appears to be affecting households predominantly in the South Island, though agencies say that power was being slowly brought back.
Local media have indicated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the winds.
In Wellington, a person was fatally injured after being impacted by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a woman was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a moment that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the urban area have been suspended due to the gusts, whereas some roads and libraries are shut down.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have declared a emergency situation, to support emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Alongside Extreme Conditions
The powerful gales on Thursday coincide with numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been termed a "major walkout", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the intense climate has compelled them to modify certain arrangements, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Comparable winds are impacting the neighboring country, causing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have announced fire bans for fear of forest fires.
