Powerful gales hitting speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 households lacking electricity and forced authorities to halt over 100 aircraft departures, as reported by regional news sources.
The winds are impacting the complete South Island and southern parts of the northern region, as stated by the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have released uncommon severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in central regions such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been advised to avoid going outside, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Response
The electricity loss is primarily influencing homes mostly in the South Island, although authorities state that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Local media have indicated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, and trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the gales.
Within the capital, a individual was killed after being struck by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was blown onto moving cars on a road by a intensive burst, in a event that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services in and out of the city have been cancelled due to the winds, and various routes and public facilities are also closed.
At the same time local leaders have declared a state of emergency, to assist recovery activities.
Strike Action Amid Severe Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday come as numerous of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been called a "significant labor action", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the intense climate has compelled them to change certain arrangements, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or called off.
Similar gusts are affecting the neighboring country, causing a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Agencies have announced fire bans for concern about forest fires.
