Powerful gusts reaching speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 households lacking electricity and led authorities to cancel over 100 flights, according to regional news sources.
The gales are impacting the whole South Island and lower areas of the North Island, per the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have announced infrequent red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in core zones such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been advised to stay indoors, avoid travel, and prepare for further electricity and network failures.
Broad Damage and Crisis Measures
This outage seems to be impacting households predominantly in the South Island, while officials state that power was being gradually reinstated.
Domestic outlets have stated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the winds.
Within the capital, a man was killed after being struck by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a individual was pushed toward moving cars on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a event that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights in and out of the metropolis have been cancelled due to the weather, and some roads and libraries are not operating.
At the same time Canterbury officials have issued a crisis declaration, to assist recovery activities.
Strike Action Alongside Severe Weather
The powerful gales on today occur while numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been described as a "major walkout", calling for better pay and working conditions.
But the intense climate has pressured them to change various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or called off.
Similar gusts are impacting the nearby nation, causing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have issued burning restrictions for fear of wildfires.
