Severe winds reaching speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 homes lacking electricity and led officials to cancel over 100 air travel services, according to regional news sources.
The winds are affecting the whole South Island and southern parts of the North Island, according to the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have issued infrequent severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in core zones encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been advised to stay indoors, stay off roads, and get ready for additional power and communication outages.
Extensive Damage and Crisis Measures
This outage appears to be affecting residences predominantly in the southern region, though authorities report that power was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have stated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas power lines and trees have been knocked down by the winds.
Within the capital, a individual was lost his life after being hit by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was blown onto approaching vehicles on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was recorded in a popular vehicle recording.
Flights in and out of the urban area have been cancelled because of the winds, while various routes and public facilities are also closed.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have announced a crisis declaration, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages During Severe Conditions
The powerful gales on this day coincide with many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been termed a "major walkout", requesting better pay and working conditions.
But the intense climate has forced them to modify certain arrangements, with several external protests relocated inside or cancelled.
Similar gusts are impacting the nearby nation, causing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have declared fire bans for fear of bushfires.
