Severe winds attaining velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and compelled agencies to cancel in excess of 100 aircraft departures, according to domestic outlets.
The winds are impacting the complete South Island and lower areas of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have released infrequent severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in central regions including Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been advised to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and prepare for additional power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Response
The electricity loss is primarily influencing households mostly in the southern region, while authorities say that energy was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have indicated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, while power lines and trees have been toppled by the gusts.
Within the capital, a individual was lost his life after being hit by a wooden fragment at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a woman was swept into approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a strong gust of wind, in a moment that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the urban area have been halted because of the weather, whereas various routes and public facilities are shut down.
At the same time Canterbury officials have issued a emergency situation, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Strike Action Alongside Harsh Weather
The wild winds on Thursday come as many of educators, medical professionals and government employees take part in what has been described as a "significant labor action", calling for better pay and working conditions.
However the extreme weather has forced them to modify various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Similar gusts are affecting Australia, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have issued fire bans for apprehension regarding forest fires.
