Severe gales reaching speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 households lacking electricity and compelled officials to halt in excess of 100 flights, based on regional news sources.
The winds are influencing the complete South Island and southern sections of the northern region, per the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have issued infrequent high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in central regions encompassing these major districts.
Locals have been encouraged to remain inside, avoid travel, and prepare for more electricity and network failures.
Widespread Impact and Emergency Measures
This outage appears to be affecting homes mainly in the southern region, though officials state that energy was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have indicated that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, and power lines and trees have been brought down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a man was killed after being struck by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a female was pushed toward approaching vehicles on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the city have been cancelled as a result of the weather, and certain highways and community centers are also closed.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have announced a crisis declaration, to assist emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages Alongside Severe Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday occur while tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been called a "significant labor action", calling for better pay and working conditions.
But the extreme weather has compelled them to change various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or called off.
Comparable winds are affecting Australia, ushering in a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued burning restrictions for concern about forest fires.
