Powerful gusts attaining velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 homes lacking electricity and led officials to cancel more than 100 aircraft departures, according to domestic outlets.
These gusts are impacting the complete South Island and southern parts of the North Island, according to the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have issued infrequent severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in core zones such as these major districts.
Locals have been encouraged to remain inside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for further power and communication outages.
Broad Damage and Crisis Response
The electricity loss appears to be affecting homes mostly in the southern region, although authorities report that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have stated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, and power lines and trees have been knocked down by the gales.
Across Wellington, a man was lost his life after being hit by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a female was swept into approaching vehicles on a street by a powerful blast, in a moment that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel in and out of the metropolis have been halted due to the winds, whereas some roads and libraries are not operating.
At the same time local leaders have declared a state of emergency, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Alongside Extreme Weather
The powerful gales on this day occur while many of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been described as a "mega strike", requesting better pay and working conditions.
Yet the extreme weather has pressured them to alter certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or cancelled.
Similar gusts are also sweeping Australia, ushering in a heatwave to the country's outback.
Officials have declared burning restrictions for fear of bushfires.
