Intense gales reaching speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced officials to call off over 100 aircraft departures, based on local media.
The gales are affecting the entire southern region and lower areas of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have issued rare red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in key areas encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been urged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and get ready for further electricity and network failures.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Response
This outage seems to be impacting homes predominantly in the southern region, though officials say that power was being slowly brought back.
Domestic outlets have reported that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, and trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a person was fatally injured after being impacted by a tree branch at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a individual was blown onto oncoming traffic on a road by a intensive burst, in a incident that was recorded in a viral dashcam video.
Air travel in and out of the urban area have been cancelled because of the winds, and various routes and public facilities are shut down.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have issued a state of emergency, to facilitate recovery activities.
Labor Protests During Harsh Weather
The powerful gales on this day come as many of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been described as a "major walkout", demanding better pay and working conditions.
However the extreme weather has pressured them to change certain arrangements, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Comparable winds are also sweeping Australia, bringing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have declared fire bans for apprehension regarding wildfires.
