Intense gusts hitting velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced agencies to cancel more than 100 air travel services, according to regional news sources.
These gusts are impacting the complete southern region and southern parts of the North Island, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have announced uncommon red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in core zones such as Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been encouraged to avoid going outside, refrain from journeys, and prepare for more electricity and network failures.
Extensive Damage and Crisis Response
The power cut appears to be affecting homes predominantly in the South Island, while authorities say that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Local media have reported that in various locations roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the gales.
Within the capital, a person was killed after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a female was swept into approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a incident that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the urban area have been suspended because of the gusts, whereas various routes and public facilities are shut down.
At the same time local leaders have declared a emergency situation, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Strike Action Amid Extreme Conditions
The powerful gales on this day coincide with numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been called a "significant labor action", demanding improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the extreme weather has pressured them to alter various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Similar gusts are impacting the neighboring country, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have announced burning restrictions for fear of forest fires.
