Intense gales hitting speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 homes experiencing outages and compelled agencies to cancel over 100 flights, according to regional news sources.
The winds are impacting the complete southern region and lower areas of the North Island, per the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have released uncommon severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in key areas such as these major districts.
Residents have been advised to stay indoors, stay off roads, and prepare for further utility disruptions.
Broad Damage and Emergency Response
This outage appears to be affecting residences predominantly in the South Island, though authorities say that power was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have indicated that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, and power lines and trees have been brought down by the winds.
In Wellington, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a woman was blown onto oncoming traffic on a road by a intensive burst, in a event that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Flights in and out of the city have been halted because of the gusts, and certain highways and community centers are shut down.
Simultaneously local leaders have issued a state of emergency, to support recovery activities.
Labor Protests Alongside Harsh Weather
The wild winds on Thursday occur while many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been called a "major walkout", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the extreme weather has forced them to alter certain arrangements, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or called off.
Comparable winds are impacting Australia, causing a heatwave to the country's outback.
Officials have declared flame prohibitions for fear of bushfires.
