Intense gales attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in approximately 90,000 homes lacking electricity and compelled officials to call off in excess of 100 air travel services, according to local media.
The gales are affecting the complete southern region and southern sections of the northern region, per the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have released infrequent red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in core zones such as these major districts.
Locals have been advised to stay indoors, stay off roads, and make arrangements for further electricity and network failures.
Extensive Damage and Crisis Response
This outage appears to be affecting residences mostly in the South Island, while officials report that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have indicated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, and power lines and trees have been knocked down by the gales.
Within the capital, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a woman was swept into moving cars on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a incident that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Air travel entering and leaving the urban area have been halted due to the winds, whereas some roads and libraries are shut down.
Meanwhile local leaders have issued a state of emergency, to assist emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages During Severe Conditions
The powerful gales on Thursday come as tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been described as a "major walkout", demanding better pay and working conditions.
However the intense climate has forced them to modify some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or called off.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the neighboring country, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Officials have declared fire bans for fear of wildfires.
