Severe winds reaching velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 households without power and forced agencies to cancel in excess of 100 aircraft departures, as reported by local media.
The gales are impacting the complete southern region and lower areas of the northern region, according to the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have released uncommon red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in key areas encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been urged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for additional utility disruptions.
Broad Impact and Emergency Response
This outage appears to be affecting residences mainly in the South Island, although agencies report that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Local media have stated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas power lines and trees have been toppled by the gusts.
Within the capital, a person was lost his life after being struck by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was swept into approaching vehicles on a road by a intensive burst, in a incident that was captured in a popular vehicle recording.
Aircraft services to and from the city have been suspended as a result of the weather, and certain highways and community centers are not operating.
Meanwhile local leaders have issued a state of emergency, to support emergency management operations.
Strike Action During Extreme Weather
The powerful gales on this day coincide with numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been described as a "significant labor action", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the severe conditions has pressured them to change some of their plans, with several external protests moved indoors or called off.
Like conditions are also sweeping the nearby nation, causing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have declared burning restrictions for apprehension regarding forest fires.
