Powerful gales reaching speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 properties lacking electricity and forced authorities to call off in excess of 100 flights, based on regional news sources.
The gales are impacting the entire South Island and southern parts of the North Island, according to the national weather agency.
New Zealand authorities have announced uncommon high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in central regions including Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been urged to remain inside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for further power and communication outages.
Widespread Destruction and Crisis Response
This outage is primarily influencing homes predominantly in the South Island, though officials report that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have indicated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gales.
In Wellington, a man was killed after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a woman was blown onto oncoming traffic on a road by a intensive burst, in a moment that was captured in a popular vehicle recording.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the city have been suspended as a result of the gusts, whereas some roads and libraries are also closed.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have issued a state of emergency, to facilitate recovery activities.
Labor Protests During Severe Conditions
The wild winds on this day coincide with numerous of educators, medical professionals and government employees are engaged in what has been described as a "mega strike", requesting better pay and working conditions.
However the severe conditions has pressured them to change some of their plans, with several external protests moved indoors or abandoned.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the neighboring country, causing a heatwave to the remote areas.
Authorities have announced fire bans for apprehension regarding wildfires.
