Powerful gales reaching speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 homes lacking electricity and led agencies to call off over 100 flights, according to regional news sources.
The gales are impacting the entire South Island and southern parts of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have released infrequent high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in core zones such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been advised to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for further power and communication outages.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Response
This outage appears to be affecting residences mostly in the South Island, though authorities state that energy was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have stated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas power lines and trees have been toppled by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a individual was fatally injured after being impacted by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a individual was pushed toward approaching vehicles on a road by a intensive burst, in a moment that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights to and from the metropolis have been halted because of the winds, and some roads and libraries are not operating.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have announced a crisis declaration, to assist emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages Alongside Extreme Conditions
These intense gusts on today come as tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been called a "major walkout", demanding improved salaries and workplace environments.
But the severe conditions has pressured them to change various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the nearby nation, causing a heatwave to the remote areas.
Agencies have declared flame prohibitions for fear of bushfires.
