Intense gales attaining speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have caused around 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced agencies to halt more than 100 flights, based on regional news sources.
The winds are affecting the entire southern region and southern parts of the North Island, per the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have announced uncommon red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in core zones encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been urged to remain inside, stay off roads, and prepare for further power and communication outages.
Extensive Impact and Emergency Response
This outage seems to be impacting residences predominantly in the southern region, while officials say that power was being gradually reinstated.
Domestic outlets have stated that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, and utility poles and vegetation have been toppled by the gusts.
Within the capital, a person was lost his life after being struck by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a female was blown onto moving cars on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights in and out of the city have been suspended due to the winds, whereas various routes and public facilities are also closed.
At the same time Canterbury officials have issued a state of emergency, to facilitate recovery activities.
Strike Action Amid Severe Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday come as tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been called a "significant labor action", requesting better pay and working conditions.
Yet the severe conditions has pressured them to change various scheduled activities, with several external protests moved indoors or called off.
Comparable winds are impacting the nearby nation, bringing a heatwave to the remote areas.
Officials have declared fire bans for apprehension regarding forest fires.
