Intense winds hitting speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in approximately 90,000 properties experiencing outages and forced officials to halt over 100 air travel services, according to local media.
These gusts are affecting the whole South Island and lower areas of the North Island, according to the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have released uncommon severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in key areas including Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been advised to stay indoors, refrain from journeys, and get ready for further utility disruptions.
Broad Destruction and Crisis Response
This outage appears to be affecting residences mainly in the South Island, though agencies report that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have reported that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, and trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the gales.
In Wellington, a individual was killed after being hit by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a individual was pushed toward moving cars on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a incident that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the city have been suspended due to the weather, and certain highways and community centers are not operating.
At the same time local leaders have issued a emergency situation, to assist disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages Amid Extreme Weather
These intense gusts on this day come as numerous of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been described as a "mega strike", demanding better pay and working conditions.
But the extreme weather has compelled them to alter some of their plans, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or called off.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the nearby nation, causing a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Authorities have issued flame prohibitions for concern about wildfires.
