Severe winds reaching velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 homes lacking electricity and forced authorities to halt over 100 air travel services, as reported by domestic outlets.
These gusts are impacting the complete South Island and lower areas of the North Island, according to the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have issued rare red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in key areas encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been advised to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for further power and communication outages.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Measures
This outage appears to be affecting households mainly in the southern region, although officials say that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have reported that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, and power lines and trees have been toppled by the gales.
In Wellington, a man was fatally injured after being struck by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was filmed in a popular vehicle recording.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the urban area have been halted as a result of the weather, whereas some roads and libraries are also closed.
Simultaneously local leaders have issued a state of emergency, to support disaster response efforts.
Strike Action Amid Extreme Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday occur while tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been termed a "mega strike", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the extreme weather has forced them to alter some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or called off.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the neighboring country, causing a period of extreme heat to the remote areas.
Agencies have declared burning restrictions for apprehension regarding forest fires.
