Severe gales hitting speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 homes without power and forced authorities to call off over 100 aircraft departures, as reported by local media.
The gales are impacting the whole South Island and southern sections of the North Island, according to the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have issued rare severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in core zones encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been encouraged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and prepare for more utility disruptions.
Broad Damage and Emergency Measures
This outage appears to be affecting homes mostly in the South Island, though officials say that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have indicated that in certain areas structures have suffered roof damage, while 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.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was blown onto oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a incident that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel to and from the metropolis have been suspended because of the winds, whereas certain highways and community centers are shut down.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have issued a state of emergency, to support disaster response efforts.
Strike Action Amid Extreme Conditions
The wild winds on today coincide with tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been termed a "major walkout", calling for better pay and working conditions.
Yet the severe conditions has forced them to change various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or cancelled.
Like conditions are impacting the neighboring country, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have declared flame prohibitions for concern about forest fires.
