Powerful gusts attaining velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 households experiencing outages and led authorities to call off over 100 air travel services, based on local media.
The winds are influencing the entire South Island and lower areas of the northern region, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have issued rare red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in key areas encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been advised to remain inside, stay off roads, and prepare for more utility disruptions.
Broad Impact and Crisis Measures
This outage is primarily influencing homes mainly in the southern region, although officials report that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Local media have reported that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while power lines and trees have been brought down by the gales.
Within the capital, a man was lost his life after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a street by a powerful blast, in a incident that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Air travel entering and leaving the metropolis have been halted because of the gusts, while some roads and libraries are not operating.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have announced a state of emergency, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests Alongside Extreme Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday coincide with many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been described as a "mega strike", demanding better pay and working conditions.
Yet the intense climate has pressured them to alter various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or abandoned.
Like conditions are affecting the neighboring country, causing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have declared fire bans for fear of forest fires.
