Severe winds reaching speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 properties experiencing outages and compelled authorities to cancel more than 100 aircraft departures, based on local media.
These gusts are impacting the entire southern region and southern parts of the northern region, according to the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in central regions including Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been urged to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and prepare for additional utility disruptions.
Broad Destruction and Emergency Response
The power cut is primarily influencing households mainly in the South Island, though agencies say that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Local media have reported that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a man was lost his life after being hit by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a individual was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a street by a powerful blast, in a incident that was captured in a popular vehicle recording.
Flights in and out of the metropolis have been halted due to the gusts, while some roads and libraries are not operating.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have declared a crisis declaration, to support emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Amid Extreme Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday coincide with numerous of educators, medical professionals and government employees are engaged in what has been described as a "mega strike", demanding improved salaries and workplace environments.
But the severe conditions has compelled them to change certain arrangements, with several external protests relocated inside or abandoned.
Comparable winds are affecting the nearby nation, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have announced burning restrictions for apprehension regarding bushfires.
