Severe gusts reaching velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced authorities to call off in excess of 100 air travel services, as reported by regional news sources.
These gusts are impacting the whole South Island and lower areas of the North Island, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have released rare red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in key areas encompassing these major districts.
Locals have been advised to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for further electricity and network failures.
Widespread Impact and Crisis Response
The electricity loss is primarily influencing households predominantly in the southern region, though authorities report that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have stated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, and utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the winds.
Within the capital, a man was fatally injured after being hit by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a individual was blown onto moving cars on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the urban area have been cancelled due to the winds, and various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Meanwhile local leaders have issued a state of emergency, to assist recovery activities.
Work Stoppages Alongside Severe Weather
These intense gusts on today occur while tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees take part in what has been termed a "major walkout", requesting better pay and working conditions.
But the severe conditions has forced them to modify some of their plans, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or abandoned.
Comparable winds are affecting the nearby nation, ushering in a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Officials have declared fire bans for fear of forest fires.
