Severe gusts attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 properties experiencing outages and led authorities to cancel over 100 aircraft departures, as reported by local media.
These gusts are impacting the entire southern region and lower areas of the northern region, per the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have released uncommon high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in key areas such as Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been advised to stay indoors, refrain from journeys, and prepare for further power and communication outages.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Response
This outage is primarily influencing households predominantly in the southern region, although authorities report that power was being restored progressively.
Regional news have indicated that in some places structures have suffered roof damage, whereas power lines and trees have been brought down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a man was lost his life after being impacted by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was blown onto approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services in and out of the city have been halted due to the winds, whereas some roads and libraries are not operating.
At the same time Canterbury officials have declared a emergency situation, to assist disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests Amid Harsh Weather
The powerful gales on Thursday occur while many of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been termed a "mega strike", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the severe conditions has pressured them to alter some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or called off.
Similar gusts are affecting Australia, causing a heatwave to the country's outback.
Officials have declared fire bans for concern about bushfires.
