Severe gales attaining velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused approximately 90,000 properties experiencing outages and compelled officials to call off more than 100 aircraft departures, based on regional news sources.
The gales are influencing the whole southern region and southern sections of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have released uncommon red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in key areas such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been advised to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Widespread Impact and Crisis Measures
The electricity loss appears to be affecting homes mostly in the South Island, though officials report that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have reported that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, while utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a person was fatally injured after being hit by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a woman was swept into oncoming traffic on a road by a intensive burst, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the urban area have been cancelled as a result of the winds, while some roads and libraries are shut down.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have declared a emergency situation, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Strike Action Alongside Severe Weather
The wild winds on Thursday come as tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been called a "major walkout", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
However the intense climate has forced them to modify some of their plans, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or called off.
Like conditions are also sweeping the neighboring country, ushering in a heatwave to the country's outback.
Authorities have announced flame prohibitions for fear of wildfires.
