Severe gales reaching velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 properties experiencing outages and led agencies to cancel in excess of 100 air travel services, as reported by regional news sources.
The gales are affecting the whole South Island and lower areas of the North Island, as stated by the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have released infrequent high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in key areas encompassing these major districts.
Locals have been encouraged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and prepare for further power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Emergency Response
The electricity loss appears to be affecting households predominantly in the southern region, although authorities state that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Local media have stated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while power lines and trees have been toppled by the winds.
Within the capital, a person was fatally injured after being hit by a wooden fragment at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a woman was swept into oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a incident that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights in and out of the urban area have been cancelled due to the weather, whereas various routes and public facilities are shut down.
Simultaneously local leaders have declared a crisis declaration, to support disaster response efforts.
Strike Action Amid Harsh Conditions
The powerful gales on Thursday occur while numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been called a "major walkout", calling for better pay and working conditions.
Yet the intense climate has pressured them to alter various scheduled activities, with several external protests relocated inside or called off.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the neighboring country, causing a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Officials have declared fire bans for apprehension regarding forest fires.
