Severe gales hitting velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 households lacking electricity and forced authorities to halt more than 100 aircraft departures, based on regional news sources.
The gales are impacting the whole southern region and southern parts of the northern region, per the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have released rare severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in core zones including Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been advised to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Broad Damage and Crisis Response
The power cut appears to be affecting homes mainly in the South Island, though authorities say that energy was being gradually reinstated.
Domestic outlets have reported that in certain areas structures have suffered roof damage, whereas power lines and trees have been knocked down by the gales.
Across Wellington, a person was fatally injured after being impacted by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was pushed toward approaching vehicles on a street by a intensive burst, in a incident that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel to and from the urban area have been halted because of the gusts, while some roads and libraries are not operating.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have issued a state of emergency, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages Alongside Extreme Weather
These intense gusts on this day occur while tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been called a "major walkout", calling for better pay and working conditions.
But the intense climate has compelled them to modify some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or cancelled.
Comparable winds are also sweeping Australia, ushering in a heatwave to the country's outback.
Authorities have announced fire bans for concern about wildfires.
