Severe gusts hitting velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced officials to cancel in excess of 100 flights, as reported by local media.
The winds are influencing the entire South Island and southern sections of the northern region, according to the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in key areas encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been advised to avoid going outside, refrain from journeys, and get ready for more electricity and network failures.
Extensive Impact and Crisis Measures
This outage seems to be impacting residences mainly in the South Island, while officials state that power was being restored progressively.
Domestic outlets have reported that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the winds.
In Wellington, a man was lost his life after being struck by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a female was swept into moving cars on a road by a intensive burst, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the metropolis have been halted as a result of the winds, and some roads and libraries are not operating.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have issued a state of emergency, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages During Extreme Weather
The wild winds on Thursday come as tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been termed a "significant labor action", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the extreme weather has forced them to change some of their plans, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or called off.
Like conditions are affecting Australia, causing a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Agencies have declared fire bans for apprehension regarding forest fires.
