Intense winds hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and compelled agencies to halt over 100 aircraft departures, as reported by domestic outlets.
These gusts are affecting the whole South Island and southern sections of the northern region, per the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in core zones such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been urged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for additional electricity and network failures.
Widespread Damage and Crisis Measures
The electricity loss is primarily influencing households mostly in the southern region, while agencies report that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have indicated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a man was lost his life after being struck by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was swept into approaching vehicles on a road by a intensive burst, in a incident that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the city have been cancelled because of the gusts, and various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have announced a state of emergency, to support emergency management operations.
Strike Action During Severe Conditions
These intense gusts on this day coincide with numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been termed a "major walkout", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the severe conditions has compelled them to change certain arrangements, with several external protests relocated inside or called off.
Comparable winds are impacting Australia, causing a heatwave to the country's outback.
Officials have declared flame prohibitions for fear of wildfires.
