Severe gales attaining speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have caused approximately 90,000 properties lacking electricity and forced authorities to halt over 100 aircraft departures, based on regional news sources.
The gales are affecting the whole South Island and southern sections of the northern region, according to the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have released rare severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in core zones such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been encouraged to remain inside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for further power and communication outages.
Broad Impact and Crisis Measures
This outage appears to be affecting homes predominantly in the southern region, while authorities say that energy was being restored progressively.
Regional news have reported that in certain areas structures have suffered roof damage, while power lines and trees have been toppled by the winds.
Within the capital, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a individual was swept into oncoming traffic on a road by a intensive burst, in a moment that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the urban area have been halted due to the winds, and certain highways and community centers are shut down.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have declared a state of emergency, to support emergency management operations.
Strike Action Alongside Severe Weather
The wild winds on Thursday come as many of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been called a "significant labor action", calling for better pay and working conditions.
Yet the intense climate has pressured them to change various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or cancelled.
Similar gusts are impacting the nearby nation, causing a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Authorities have announced fire bans for concern about wildfires.
