Severe gales attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced agencies to call off in excess of 100 aircraft departures, according to local media.
These gusts are impacting the complete southern region and lower areas of the northern region, as stated by the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have issued infrequent red wind warnings - the top caution category - in key areas such as Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been advised to remain inside, avoid travel, and get ready for more electricity and network failures.
Widespread Destruction and Crisis Measures
This outage seems to be impacting households mainly in the South Island, though officials state that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have stated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the winds.
Within the capital, a person was lost his life after being hit by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot 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 incident that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services in and out of the urban area have been cancelled because of the weather, and certain highways and community centers are also closed.
Simultaneously local leaders have issued a crisis declaration, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Strike Action During Extreme Conditions
These intense gusts on Thursday come as many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been termed a "mega strike", requesting better pay and working conditions.
But the intense climate has forced them to alter certain arrangements, with several external protests moved indoors or abandoned.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the neighboring country, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have announced fire bans for concern about wildfires.
