Severe gales reaching velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 households without power and led agencies to cancel more than 100 flights, as reported by domestic outlets.
The winds are affecting the complete South Island and southern parts of the North Island, according to the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have released uncommon severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in central regions such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been encouraged to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for further power and communication outages.
Widespread Damage and Crisis Measures
The power cut is primarily influencing homes mostly in the South Island, though authorities state that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have indicated that in various locations roofs have been ripped off houses, while utility poles and vegetation have been toppled by the gusts.
In Wellington, a man was lost his life after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a woman was swept into moving cars on a street by a intensive burst, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the metropolis have been halted as a result of the gusts, and various routes and public facilities are shut down.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have announced a crisis declaration, to assist disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests Alongside Harsh Conditions
These intense gusts on Thursday occur while tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been described as a "major walkout", calling for better pay and working conditions.
But the severe conditions has pressured them to alter various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Like conditions are affecting the neighboring country, bringing a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Officials have announced fire bans for apprehension regarding bushfires.
