Powerful winds reaching speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused around 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced agencies to cancel in excess of 100 air travel services, based on local media.
The winds are impacting the complete southern region and lower areas of the northern region, according to the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have announced rare red wind warnings - the top caution category - in core zones including Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been advised to stay indoors, stay off roads, and get ready for more utility disruptions.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Response
This outage seems to be impacting households mostly in the southern region, although agencies say that energy was being restored progressively.
Local media have stated that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, and power lines and trees have been toppled by the winds.
In Wellington, a person was killed after being hit by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was swept into approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a event that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Flights in and out of the city have been halted as a result of the weather, and certain highways and community centers are not operating.
Meanwhile local leaders have announced a emergency situation, to assist emergency management operations.
Strike Action During Severe Conditions
The powerful gales on Thursday come as numerous of educators, medical professionals and government employees take part in what has been termed a "major walkout", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
However the extreme weather has forced them to modify various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Comparable winds are affecting Australia, bringing a period of extreme heat to the remote areas.
Authorities have issued burning restrictions for apprehension regarding bushfires.
