Severe gusts attaining speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 households lacking electricity and led agencies to cancel over 100 air travel services, based on local media.
The winds are affecting the entire southern region and lower areas of the northern region, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have released rare severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in key areas including Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been encouraged to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and get ready for more power and communication outages.
Widespread Destruction and Crisis Measures
This outage seems to be impacting residences mostly in the South Island, although agencies state that energy was being restored progressively.
Domestic outlets have reported that in various locations roofs have been ripped off houses, while trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the gales.
Across Wellington, a man was lost his life after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a woman was blown onto approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a event that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel in and out of the metropolis have been cancelled because of the gusts, while various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Simultaneously local leaders have announced a emergency situation, to support recovery activities.
Strike Action During Severe Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday come as tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been described as a "significant labor action", calling for better pay and working conditions.
Yet the extreme weather has compelled them to change various scheduled activities, with several external protests moved indoors or abandoned.
Similar gusts are impacting Australia, causing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued burning restrictions for concern about bushfires.
