Intense winds attaining speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have caused around 90,000 homes without power and compelled agencies to cancel over 100 air travel services, based on domestic outlets.
The winds are affecting the entire southern region and southern parts of the North Island, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have issued uncommon severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in central regions including Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been encouraged to stay indoors, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for more electricity and network failures.
Broad Damage and Crisis Measures
This outage is primarily influencing homes mostly in the South Island, while officials report that power was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have stated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, while power lines and trees have been toppled by the gusts.
Within the capital, a person was fatally injured after being hit by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a female was swept into moving cars on a road by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel in and out of the city have been cancelled because of the gusts, while certain highways and community centers are shut down.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have issued a crisis declaration, to support recovery activities.
Labor Protests Amid Extreme Conditions
These intense gusts on Thursday coincide with numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been described as a "significant labor action", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
However the severe conditions has pressured them to alter some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or abandoned.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the neighboring country, ushering in a heatwave to the country's outback.
Officials have announced burning restrictions for apprehension regarding bushfires.
