Intense winds hitting velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have caused approximately 90,000 households without power and compelled authorities to halt in excess of 100 flights, according to domestic outlets.
The gales are affecting the complete southern region and southern parts of the northern region, per the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have released infrequent severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in central regions such as Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been encouraged to remain inside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for more electricity and network failures.
Broad Damage and Crisis Response
This outage appears to be affecting homes mainly in the southern region, though authorities state that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Domestic outlets have reported that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, and utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gales.
Within the capital, a individual was lost his life after being impacted by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was swept into moving cars on a road by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel to and from the metropolis have been suspended as a result of the gusts, whereas certain highways and community centers are shut down.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have issued a crisis declaration, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages Amid Extreme Weather
The wild winds on Thursday coincide with many of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been termed a "mega strike", demanding better pay and working conditions.
Yet the extreme weather has pressured them to alter various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Similar gusts are affecting the nearby nation, bringing a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Officials have issued fire bans for fear of forest fires.
