Powerful gales attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 homes without power and led agencies to cancel over 100 air travel services, as reported by domestic outlets.
The winds are impacting the entire South Island and southern parts of the northern region, per the national weather agency.
New Zealand authorities have released rare severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in central regions including Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been advised to stay indoors, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Extensive Damage and Crisis Response
This outage appears to be affecting residences predominantly in the southern region, though agencies say that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have reported that in various locations roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was blown onto oncoming traffic on a street by a intensive burst, in a moment that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Flights to and from the city have been halted due to the gusts, and certain highways and community centers are shut down.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have declared a emergency situation, to facilitate recovery activities.
Work Stoppages Alongside Extreme Weather
The powerful gales on today coincide with numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been described as a "major walkout", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the severe conditions has pressured them to alter certain arrangements, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or called off.
Similar gusts are affecting the nearby nation, bringing a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Authorities have declared burning restrictions for fear of bushfires.
