Powerful gusts hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and compelled agencies to cancel in excess of 100 aircraft departures, based on domestic outlets.
These gusts are impacting the whole South Island and southern parts of the northern region, according to the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have announced uncommon high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in core zones such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been urged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and prepare for additional utility disruptions.
Widespread Impact and Crisis Response
This outage appears to be affecting households mostly in the southern region, although authorities state that energy was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have indicated that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, and power lines and trees have been knocked down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a man was killed after being impacted by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a individual was swept into moving cars on a road by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Air travel entering and leaving the city have been suspended because of the gusts, and various routes and public facilities are not operating.
At the same time local leaders have declared a state of emergency, to facilitate recovery activities.
Labor Protests Amid Harsh Conditions
The wild winds on Thursday occur while many of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been termed a "major walkout", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the extreme weather has pressured them to change certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Similar gusts are affecting the nearby nation, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued fire bans for fear of bushfires.
