Severe winds reaching velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced authorities to cancel over 100 air travel services, based on domestic outlets.
These gusts are impacting the complete South Island and lower areas of the North Island, as stated by the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have released rare severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in core zones encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been urged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and prepare for further utility disruptions.
Broad Destruction and Crisis Measures
This outage appears to be affecting households mostly in the South Island, although authorities report that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Local media have indicated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, whereas power lines and trees have been toppled by the gusts.
In Wellington, a man was lost his life after being struck by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was pushed toward approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a moment that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Air travel in and out of the metropolis have been suspended due to the gusts, while various routes and public facilities are also closed.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have announced a crisis declaration, to assist emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Alongside Harsh Conditions
These intense gusts on today occur while many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been called a "mega strike", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the extreme weather has forced them to change some of their plans, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Comparable winds are affecting the nearby nation, bringing a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Officials have issued fire bans for concern about forest fires.
