Severe gales hitting velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused around 90,000 households without power and forced authorities to halt over 100 air travel services, as reported by regional news sources.
The winds are affecting the whole South Island and southern sections of the North Island, according to the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have released infrequent high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in core zones such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been urged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and get ready for additional power and communication outages.
Extensive Impact and Emergency Measures
This outage appears to be affecting residences mostly in the South Island, though agencies report that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Regional news have reported that in some places homes have lost their roofs, while utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the gales.
Within the capital, a person was fatally injured after being struck by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a female was swept into oncoming traffic on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was recorded in a popular vehicle recording.
Flights in and out of the urban area have been cancelled as a result of the winds, while certain highways and community centers are also closed.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have issued a state of emergency, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests Amid Severe Weather
These intense gusts on this day come as numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been described as a "mega strike", calling for better pay and working conditions.
Yet the severe conditions has forced them to change certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or called off.
Like conditions are affecting the nearby nation, causing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have declared burning restrictions for concern about forest fires.
