Severe winds hitting velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused around 90,000 households without power and forced officials to cancel over 100 flights, according to local media.
The gales are impacting the complete South Island and lower areas of the northern region, per the national weather agency.
New Zealand authorities have announced infrequent high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in core zones encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been advised to remain inside, avoid travel, and get ready for more electricity and network failures.
Broad Impact and Crisis Measures
This outage appears to be affecting households predominantly in the southern region, although agencies state that power was being restored progressively.
Local media have stated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, whereas power lines and trees have been knocked down by the winds.
Within the capital, a man was killed after being struck by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a road by a powerful blast, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights to and from the metropolis have been suspended due to the winds, and certain highways and community centers are not operating.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have issued a emergency situation, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages Alongside Severe Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday come as tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been termed a "major walkout", calling for better pay and working conditions.
But the extreme weather has pressured them to alter certain arrangements, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or abandoned.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the nearby nation, bringing a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Agencies have issued fire bans for concern about forest fires.
