Powerful winds attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 properties experiencing outages and led authorities to call off over 100 aircraft departures, based on local media.
These gusts are affecting the whole southern region and southern parts of the northern region, according to the national weather agency.
New Zealand authorities have issued infrequent severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in central regions such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been encouraged to remain inside, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Response
This outage is primarily influencing homes predominantly in the southern region, though agencies state that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Local media have stated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, while utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the gales.
Within the capital, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a street by a powerful blast, in a moment that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the urban area have been halted due to the gusts, whereas certain highways and community centers are not operating.
At the same time Canterbury officials have issued a crisis declaration, to support recovery activities.
Work Stoppages Amid Extreme Weather
The wild winds on Thursday come as many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been termed a "major walkout", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the severe conditions has forced them to change some of their plans, with some outdoor rallies relocated inside or cancelled.
Comparable winds are affecting the nearby nation, bringing a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Officials have issued fire bans for fear of forest fires.
