Intense gales attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 homes without power and led authorities to cancel over 100 air travel services, as reported by regional news sources.
The gales are impacting the complete South Island and southern sections of the North Island, according to the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have released uncommon high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in core zones encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been encouraged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for additional power and communication outages.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Measures
This outage is primarily influencing homes predominantly in the southern region, although authorities say that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have reported that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas power lines and trees have been toppled by the gales.
Across Wellington, a individual was killed after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a female was pushed toward approaching vehicles on a road by a intensive burst, in a event that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services in and out of the urban area have been halted due to the weather, and various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Simultaneously local leaders have declared a state of emergency, to assist emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Alongside Harsh Weather
The powerful gales on this day coincide with tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees take part in what has been called a "mega strike", demanding better pay and working conditions.
Yet the severe conditions has forced them to modify certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the neighboring country, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have declared fire bans for apprehension regarding wildfires.
