Severe gales reaching velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 properties without power and forced authorities to call off more than 100 flights, according to domestic outlets.
These gusts are affecting the entire South Island and lower areas of the northern region, according to the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have announced rare red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in central regions such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been advised to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for additional power and communication outages.
Broad Impact and Emergency Response
This outage seems to be impacting homes mainly in the southern region, although officials report that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have stated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, whereas trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the gales.
In Wellington, a person was killed after being hit by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a individual was swept into moving cars on a street by a powerful blast, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights in and out of the city have been suspended because of the weather, and some roads and libraries are not operating.
Meanwhile local leaders have declared a emergency situation, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Amid Extreme Weather
The wild winds on Thursday come as numerous of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been called a "mega strike", requesting better pay and working conditions.
Yet the intense climate has pressured them to alter various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Comparable winds are affecting Australia, bringing a heatwave to the remote areas.
Officials have issued fire bans for fear of wildfires.
