Severe gales reaching velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 properties lacking electricity and led officials to halt in excess of 100 aircraft departures, according to local media.
The gales are affecting the whole South Island and southern sections of the northern region, according to the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have announced uncommon severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in core zones such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been encouraged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and make arrangements for further electricity and network failures.
Broad Destruction and Crisis Response
This outage appears to be affecting residences predominantly in the South Island, while authorities say that energy was being slowly brought back.
Domestic outlets have indicated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, and trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the winds.
In Wellington, a individual was fatally injured after being hit by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a woman was blown onto approaching vehicles on a street by a powerful blast, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel to and from the metropolis have been suspended as a result of the winds, whereas certain highways and community centers are not operating.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have announced a state of emergency, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages Alongside Harsh Conditions
The powerful gales on Thursday coincide with many of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been termed a "significant labor action", calling for better pay and working conditions.
However the intense climate has pressured them to change some of their plans, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Comparable winds are impacting Australia, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have announced fire bans for concern about wildfires.
