Powerful gales hitting speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 properties experiencing outages and compelled authorities to cancel more than 100 air travel services, based on local media.
The gales are affecting the entire southern region and southern parts of the North Island, as stated by the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have released rare high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in core zones encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been encouraged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and prepare for further utility disruptions.
Widespread Damage and Crisis Response
This outage seems to be impacting residences mainly in the southern region, while officials state that energy was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have reported that in some places structures have suffered roof damage, and trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a man was lost his life after being struck by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path 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 filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Flights to and from the city have been suspended because of the gusts, whereas some roads and libraries are also closed.
Simultaneously local leaders have issued a state of emergency, to support disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests During Severe Conditions
These intense gusts on Thursday occur while tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been termed a "major walkout", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the severe conditions has pressured them to change various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Similar gusts are affecting the neighboring country, ushering in a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have announced flame prohibitions for fear of bushfires.
