Severe gusts hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 properties experiencing outages and led authorities to call off in excess of 100 air travel services, based on domestic outlets.
The winds are impacting the entire South Island and southern parts of the northern region, per the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in key areas encompassing these major districts.
Locals have been encouraged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for more electricity and network failures.
Widespread Damage and Crisis Measures
The electricity loss seems to be impacting households predominantly in the South Island, though authorities say that power was being restored progressively.
Local media have stated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, and trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the gales.
Within the capital, a man was lost his life after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual 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.
Air travel to and from the urban area have been cancelled as a result of the weather, while certain highways and community centers are shut down.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have declared a emergency situation, to facilitate recovery activities.
Strike Action Amid Severe Conditions
The powerful gales on this day occur while numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been described as a "significant labor action", demanding better pay and working conditions.
Yet the severe conditions has compelled them to modify various scheduled activities, with several external protests moved indoors or cancelled.
Similar gusts are affecting Australia, causing a heatwave to the country's outback.
Officials have declared fire bans for concern about bushfires.
