Intense gusts reaching speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 households experiencing outages and led agencies to halt over 100 aircraft departures, as reported by domestic outlets.
These gusts are influencing the complete southern region and lower areas of the northern region, as stated by the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in core zones such as Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been urged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Broad Damage and Crisis Response
The electricity loss seems to be impacting households mainly in the South Island, though officials say that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Local media have indicated that in various locations roofs have been ripped off houses, while power lines and trees have been knocked down by the gales.
In Wellington, a man was fatally injured after being impacted by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a female was swept into moving cars on a road by a powerful blast, in a incident that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the city have been halted due to the gusts, whereas certain highways and community centers are not operating.
At the same time Canterbury officials have announced a crisis declaration, to facilitate recovery activities.
Strike Action Alongside Extreme Weather
The wild winds on this day occur while numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been described as a "mega strike", calling for better pay and working conditions.
But the intense climate has compelled them to modify some of their plans, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Comparable winds are affecting the neighboring country, bringing a heatwave to the country's outback.
Agencies have announced burning restrictions for fear of wildfires.
