Powerful gusts reaching velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and led agencies to halt over 100 air travel services, as reported by domestic outlets.
These gusts are affecting the entire South Island and lower areas of the northern region, per the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have announced uncommon red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in core zones encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been encouraged to avoid going outside, refrain from journeys, and prepare for more power and communication outages.
Broad Destruction and Emergency Measures
The power cut seems to be impacting residences predominantly in the South Island, though officials state that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Regional news have stated that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, whereas trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the winds.
In Wellington, a person was lost his life after being hit by a tree branch at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was swept into approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a incident that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services in and out of the metropolis have been halted because of the winds, and some roads and libraries are not operating.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have issued a crisis declaration, to support recovery activities.
Strike Action During Severe Weather
These intense gusts on this day come as many of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been called a "major walkout", calling for better pay and working conditions.
Yet the extreme weather has compelled them to change various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the nearby nation, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have issued fire bans for apprehension regarding wildfires.
