Severe winds reaching speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and led authorities to call off over 100 air travel services, based on domestic outlets.
The winds are impacting the entire southern region and lower areas of the northern region, per the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have issued infrequent severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in core zones such as these major districts.
Locals have been urged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and prepare for further utility disruptions.
Extensive Impact and Crisis Response
This outage is primarily influencing households mostly in the southern region, while authorities report that energy was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have indicated that in certain areas structures have suffered roof damage, and power lines and trees have been toppled by the winds.
Across Wellington, a individual was killed after being hit by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was blown onto moving cars on a street by a intensive burst, in a event that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Air travel in and out of the urban area have been suspended as a result of the weather, and some roads and libraries are also closed.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have declared a crisis declaration, to assist disaster response efforts.
Strike Action During Harsh Conditions
The powerful gales on today occur while many of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been called a "significant labor action", demanding better pay and working conditions.
Yet the severe conditions has compelled them to modify various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Comparable winds are also sweeping Australia, causing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have declared fire bans for concern about bushfires.
