Intense gusts attaining speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 properties experiencing outages and forced agencies to halt more than 100 flights, based on regional news sources.
The winds are influencing the entire South Island and southern sections of the northern region, as stated by the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have released infrequent severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in central regions including Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been urged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Measures
This outage appears to be affecting homes mostly in the southern region, although authorities say that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Regional news have indicated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, while utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a man was fatally injured after being struck by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was swept into approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a incident that was captured in a popular vehicle recording.
Aircraft services to and from the city have been suspended because of the weather, while various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Meanwhile local leaders have declared a state of emergency, to assist recovery activities.
Labor Protests Alongside Harsh Weather
The wild winds on Thursday coincide with many of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been described as a "major walkout", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the intense climate has pressured them to modify various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Similar gusts are impacting Australia, bringing a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Agencies have declared flame prohibitions for apprehension regarding wildfires.
