Severe gales attaining velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 homes without power and forced officials to cancel in excess of 100 air travel services, according to domestic outlets.
These gusts are affecting the entire southern region and southern sections of the North Island, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have issued uncommon red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in key areas including these major districts.
Locals have been urged to stay indoors, refrain from journeys, and get ready for more power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Response
The power cut seems to be impacting homes predominantly in the southern region, although agencies report that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Local media have indicated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, while trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the gales.
In Wellington, a person was killed after being hit by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a female was swept into oncoming traffic on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Air travel in and out of the metropolis have been cancelled due to the gusts, and certain highways and community centers are also closed.
At the same time Canterbury officials have declared a emergency situation, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages During Extreme Weather
The wild winds on this day occur while many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been called a "mega strike", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the extreme weather has pressured them to alter some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or cancelled.
Similar gusts are affecting the neighboring country, ushering in a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have declared flame prohibitions for fear of forest fires.
