Powerful gusts attaining velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 homes without power and forced officials to halt over 100 flights, according to local media.
The gales are affecting the complete South Island and lower areas of the northern region, 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 encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been advised to remain inside, avoid travel, and prepare for further power and communication outages.
Broad Damage and Crisis Response
The power cut appears to be affecting homes mostly in the South Island, though agencies state that power was being slowly brought back.
Local media have stated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was blown onto moving cars on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the urban area have been cancelled as a result of the weather, and various routes and public facilities are shut down.
At the same time local leaders have announced a emergency situation, to assist recovery activities.
Work Stoppages During Severe Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday occur while numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been termed a "major walkout", demanding improved salaries and workplace environments.
However the severe conditions has compelled them to alter certain arrangements, with several external protests moved indoors or abandoned.
Similar gusts are also sweeping the neighboring country, causing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have declared fire bans for concern about wildfires.
