Severe gales reaching speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused around 90,000 properties experiencing outages and forced agencies to cancel over 100 aircraft departures, as reported by domestic outlets.
These gusts are affecting the whole southern region and southern sections of the North Island, according to the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have released infrequent severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in central regions encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been advised to remain inside, stay off roads, and prepare for additional power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Response
This outage seems to be impacting homes mostly in the southern region, though officials state that energy was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have stated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, while utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the winds.
Within the capital, a man was lost his life after being struck by a tree branch at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was blown onto approaching vehicles on a road by a intensive burst, in a incident that was recorded in a popular vehicle recording.
Aircraft services in and out of the metropolis have been halted as a result of the winds, and some roads and libraries are also closed.
Meanwhile local leaders have issued a state of emergency, to support disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests Amid Extreme Conditions
The powerful gales on today coincide with numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been described as a "major walkout", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the extreme weather has forced them to change some of their plans, with several external protests relocated inside or cancelled.
Similar gusts are affecting the nearby nation, bringing a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Officials have issued flame prohibitions for apprehension regarding forest fires.
