Intense gusts hitting velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and led officials to call off over 100 aircraft departures, as reported by local media.
The winds are affecting the entire South Island and southern parts of the northern region, as stated by the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have issued rare red wind warnings - the top caution category - in key areas such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been encouraged to remain inside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for further electricity and network failures.
Extensive Damage and Crisis Response
This outage is primarily influencing residences mainly in the South Island, while agencies state that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have indicated that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, whereas power lines and trees have been toppled by the gales.
Across Wellington, a man was fatally injured after being struck by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was swept into moving cars on a street by a powerful blast, in a moment that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Flights in and out of the metropolis have been suspended because of the weather, and various routes and public facilities are shut down.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have declared a state of emergency, to facilitate recovery activities.
Labor Protests Amid Severe Conditions
The wild winds on Thursday occur while many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been described as a "major walkout", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
However the intense climate has compelled them to modify certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies relocated inside or called off.
Similar gusts are impacting the neighboring country, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have announced fire bans for fear of bushfires.
