Powerful winds reaching velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have caused approximately 90,000 households without power and forced authorities to call off more than 100 aircraft departures, as reported by regional news sources.
These gusts are influencing the whole South Island and southern parts of the northern region, per the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have released infrequent high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in key areas such as Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been encouraged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for more electricity and network failures.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Measures
This outage seems to be impacting homes predominantly in the southern region, although authorities say that energy was being gradually reinstated.
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.
In Wellington, a person was lost his life after being struck by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was pushed toward approaching vehicles on a road by a intensive burst, in a incident that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel in and out of the metropolis have been suspended because of the winds, and various routes and public facilities are also closed.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have issued a state of emergency, to assist recovery activities.
Labor Protests During Severe Conditions
These intense gusts on Thursday come as numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been termed a "significant labor action", demanding better pay and working conditions.
Yet the extreme weather has forced them to change some of their plans, with some outdoor rallies relocated inside or called off.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the nearby nation, ushering in a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Officials have issued fire bans for concern about bushfires.
