Severe gusts hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused approximately 90,000 properties experiencing outages and led authorities to cancel more than 100 air travel services, based on local media.
The winds are affecting the whole southern region and southern sections of the northern region, according to the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have issued rare severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in key areas such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been advised to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and prepare for further electricity and network failures.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Measures
The electricity loss seems to be impacting households mostly in the southern region, although authorities report that power was being restored progressively.
Regional news have reported that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, whereas power lines and trees have been knocked down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a man was fatally injured after being hit by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was blown onto oncoming traffic on a road by a intensive burst, in a event that was recorded in a viral dashcam video.
Air travel entering and leaving the urban area have been cancelled as a result of the weather, and various routes and public facilities are not operating.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have issued a state of emergency, to support recovery activities.
Labor Protests During Extreme Conditions
These intense gusts on Thursday occur while tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees are engaged in what has been described as a "major walkout", demanding better pay and working conditions.
But the intense climate has compelled them to change various scheduled activities, with several external protests relocated inside or abandoned.
Like conditions are impacting the nearby nation, bringing a heatwave to the country's outback.
Officials have declared flame prohibitions for fear of wildfires.
