Severe gusts reaching speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and compelled agencies to halt in excess of 100 air travel services, according to domestic outlets.
These gusts are influencing the whole southern region and lower areas of the northern region, per the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have issued rare severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in core zones encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been encouraged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and make arrangements for additional electricity and network failures.
Extensive Damage and Crisis Response
The power cut seems to be impacting residences mainly in the South Island, though agencies report that energy was being slowly brought back.
Domestic outlets have indicated that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, and trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the winds.
In Wellington, a man was lost his life after being struck by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a female was swept into oncoming traffic on a street by a intensive burst, in a incident that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights in and out of the urban area have been suspended due to the weather, and certain highways and community centers are also closed.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have declared a emergency situation, to assist emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages Amid Extreme Conditions
The powerful gales on Thursday occur while many of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been termed a "significant labor action", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
However the severe conditions has forced them to change certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or called off.
Comparable winds are impacting the nearby nation, bringing a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Officials have issued burning restrictions for concern about bushfires.
