Intense gales attaining velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and led authorities to halt in excess of 100 aircraft departures, according to regional news sources.
The winds are affecting the entire southern region and southern parts of the northern region, per the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in central regions encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been urged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and get ready for further electricity and network failures.
Broad Damage and Crisis Measures
This outage seems to be impacting homes mainly in the southern region, although authorities state that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have reported that in some places structures have suffered roof damage, while utility poles and vegetation have been toppled by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a individual was lost his life after being struck by a tree branch at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a street by a intensive burst, in a moment that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services in and out of the city have been halted due to the weather, and certain highways and community centers are also closed.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have announced a emergency situation, to facilitate recovery activities.
Strike Action Alongside Severe Weather
The wild winds on today coincide with tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees take part in what has been termed a "significant labor action", calling for better pay and working conditions.
Yet the extreme weather has forced them to change some of their plans, with several external protests relocated inside or called off.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the nearby nation, bringing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have declared fire bans for fear of bushfires.
