Severe gales reaching velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced agencies to call off over 100 aircraft departures, based on local media.
The winds are affecting the whole southern region and southern sections of the North Island, per the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have announced infrequent high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in central regions including these major districts.
Locals have been advised to avoid going outside, refrain from journeys, and get ready for additional power and communication outages.
Broad Damage and Emergency Measures
This outage appears to be affecting residences mostly in the South Island, though agencies say that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have indicated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, while trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the winds.
Within the capital, a individual was killed after being impacted by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a female was pushed toward moving cars on a road by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services to and from the urban area have been cancelled as a result of the weather, while some roads and libraries are not operating.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have issued a crisis declaration, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Strike Action During Extreme Conditions
The powerful gales on Thursday come as many of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been called a "significant labor action", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
But the extreme weather has pressured them to change some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Similar gusts are affecting the nearby nation, bringing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued fire bans for fear of forest fires.
