Powerful gales hitting velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 households without power and forced officials to call off over 100 air travel services, according to local media.
These gusts are impacting the whole southern region and southern parts of the North Island, according to the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have released infrequent severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in key areas encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been urged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for further power and communication outages.
Widespread Impact and Crisis Measures
This outage seems to be impacting households predominantly in the South Island, while authorities state that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have stated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, and trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the gales.
Across Wellington, a man was killed after being hit by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was swept into approaching vehicles on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Flights entering and leaving the city have been cancelled as a result of the winds, whereas certain highways and community centers are also closed.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have issued a state of emergency, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Strike Action Alongside Severe Weather
The wild winds on this day come as numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been described as a "mega strike", calling for better pay and working conditions.
Yet the severe conditions has pressured them to alter various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or cancelled.
Comparable winds are impacting Australia, bringing a heatwave to the country's outback.
Agencies have declared burning restrictions for fear of bushfires.
