Severe winds reaching velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 households without power and led authorities to cancel over 100 flights, according to local media.
The winds are influencing the complete southern region and southern parts of the North Island, per the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have issued uncommon red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in core zones including Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been advised to remain inside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for additional power and communication outages.
Widespread Impact and Crisis Measures
The electricity loss appears to be affecting residences mostly in the southern region, although authorities report that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have reported that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, and trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a person was killed after being impacted by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a female was swept into moving cars on a street by a powerful blast, in a event that was recorded in a viral dashcam video.
Air travel entering and leaving the metropolis have been suspended as a result of the winds, while some roads and libraries are also closed.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have issued a emergency situation, to support emergency management operations.
Strike Action Alongside Severe Conditions
These intense gusts on this day occur while tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been called a "mega strike", demanding better pay and working conditions.
But the extreme weather has pressured them to modify various scheduled activities, with several external protests relocated inside or abandoned.
Similar gusts are affecting Australia, causing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have announced burning restrictions for apprehension regarding wildfires.
