Powerful gusts reaching speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 homes experiencing outages and compelled officials to cancel over 100 flights, based on local media.
These gusts are affecting the complete South Island and lower areas of the northern region, per the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have released rare severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in key areas including Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been urged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and prepare for more electricity and network failures.
Extensive Impact and Emergency Response
The electricity loss seems to be impacting households mainly in the southern region, while officials report that power was being slowly brought back.
Domestic outlets have indicated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the winds.
In Wellington, a person was killed after being impacted by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a woman was swept into oncoming traffic on a road by a powerful blast, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services in and out of the urban area have been cancelled because of the gusts, while some roads and libraries are shut down.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have announced a crisis declaration, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests During Extreme Conditions
The powerful gales on today occur while tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been termed a "major walkout", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the extreme weather has compelled them to alter various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or called off.
Like conditions are impacting the nearby nation, bringing a heatwave to the country's outback.
Authorities have issued flame prohibitions for apprehension regarding bushfires.