Intense gusts hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 properties experiencing outages and forced authorities to halt in excess of 100 flights, based on regional news sources.
These gusts are influencing the whole southern region and southern sections of the North Island, as stated by the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have issued uncommon red wind warnings - the top caution category - in core zones including Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been advised to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and prepare for more power and communication outages.
Widespread Impact and Emergency Response
The electricity loss seems to be impacting residences mostly in the southern region, while authorities report that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Local media have reported that in some places homes have lost their roofs, and trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a man was killed after being impacted by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was swept into moving cars on a road by a intensive burst, in a event that was recorded in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services to and from the city have been halted as a result of the weather, whereas certain highways and community centers are also closed.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have declared a state of emergency, to assist recovery activities.
Labor Protests Amid Severe Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday come as tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been termed a "major walkout", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the intense climate has forced them to alter some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or cancelled.
Similar gusts are impacting the nearby nation, causing a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Authorities have issued fire bans for fear of wildfires.
