Severe winds attaining velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in approximately 90,000 properties lacking electricity and forced officials to cancel over 100 flights, according to local media.
The winds are influencing the whole South Island and southern sections of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have issued infrequent red wind warnings - the top caution category - in core zones including Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been urged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and make arrangements for further electricity and network failures.
Widespread Damage and Crisis Response
This outage is primarily influencing households predominantly in the southern region, while officials report that power was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have reported that in some places homes have lost their roofs, while trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the gusts.
In Wellington, a man was lost his life after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was pushed toward approaching vehicles on a road by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the metropolis have been cancelled as a result of the gusts, while certain highways and community centers are shut down.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have declared a emergency situation, to support recovery activities.
Strike Action Alongside Severe Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday occur while numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been called a "significant labor action", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the extreme weather has forced them to alter various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Like conditions are impacting Australia, causing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have announced burning restrictions for apprehension regarding wildfires.
