Intense gusts hitting velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 properties experiencing outages and forced agencies to halt more than 100 flights, based on domestic outlets.
These gusts are impacting the entire South Island and lower areas of the North Island, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in central regions including Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been encouraged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and get ready for further power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Response
The electricity loss appears to be affecting residences predominantly in the southern region, while agencies state that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Domestic outlets have stated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, and power lines and trees have been brought down by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a person was lost his life after being hit by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was pushed toward approaching vehicles on a street by a intensive burst, in a incident that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights to and from the metropolis have been halted due to the weather, while certain highways and community centers are shut down.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have issued a state of emergency, to assist emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages Amid Harsh Conditions
The wild winds on this day coincide with tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been described as a "major walkout", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the extreme weather has compelled them to change some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the neighboring country, bringing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have issued flame prohibitions for fear of bushfires.
