Intense gusts hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and compelled officials to call off in excess of 100 aircraft departures, based on local media.
The gales are influencing the complete South Island and southern sections of the northern region, per the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have announced uncommon severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in central regions including Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been urged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for further electricity and network failures.
Broad Damage and Crisis Measures
This outage seems to be impacting homes predominantly in the South Island, although agencies report that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have indicated that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, while power lines and trees have been brought down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a individual was lost his life after being struck by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was blown onto approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a moment that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the metropolis have been halted as a result of the winds, while some roads and libraries are not operating.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have issued a crisis declaration, to assist disaster response efforts.
Strike Action During Severe Weather
These intense gusts on today occur while tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been termed a "significant labor action", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
But the extreme weather has compelled them to alter some of their plans, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Like conditions are also sweeping the nearby nation, ushering in a heatwave to the country's outback.
Authorities have announced burning restrictions for fear of forest fires.
