Severe gales attaining velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in approximately 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced agencies to call off in excess of 100 air travel services, based on domestic outlets.
These gusts are impacting the complete southern region and southern parts of the North Island, as stated by the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have announced rare severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in core zones encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been urged to stay indoors, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for further utility disruptions.
Extensive Impact and Crisis Measures
The power cut appears to be affecting residences mostly in the South Island, while agencies state that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have stated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, whereas power lines and trees have been brought down by the winds.
Within the capital, a individual was killed after being hit by a wooden fragment at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was blown onto moving cars on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the city have been cancelled due to the weather, whereas some roads and libraries are shut down.
At the same time Canterbury officials have declared a crisis declaration, to support disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests During Extreme Weather
These intense gusts on today coincide with numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been called a "mega strike", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the extreme weather has compelled them to modify various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Comparable winds are affecting the neighboring country, causing a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Authorities have announced flame prohibitions for fear of forest fires.
