Severe gusts hitting velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 households without power and compelled officials to cancel over 100 flights, based on local media.
These gusts are influencing the entire southern region and southern parts of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
New Zealand authorities have announced infrequent red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in core zones including these major districts.
Residents have been encouraged to avoid going outside, refrain from journeys, and prepare for more electricity and network failures.
Widespread Impact and Emergency Response
This outage is primarily influencing homes mostly in the South Island, though authorities say that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have indicated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gales.
In Wellington, a person was killed after being struck by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a individual was blown onto oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the city have been cancelled as a result of the winds, whereas some roads and libraries are also closed.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have declared a emergency situation, to facilitate recovery activities.
Labor Protests Alongside Harsh Weather
The wild winds on today come as many of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been called a "significant labor action", calling for better pay and working conditions.
However the severe conditions has pressured them to change various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or called off.
Comparable winds are also sweeping Australia, bringing a period of extreme heat to the remote areas.
Officials have announced burning restrictions for apprehension regarding bushfires.
