Severe gales reaching speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 households experiencing outages and led officials to cancel over 100 flights, based on regional news sources.
The gales are influencing the complete South Island and lower areas of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have announced rare severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in central regions including Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been advised to remain inside, stay off roads, and get ready for more electricity and network failures.
Broad Damage and Crisis Response
The power cut seems to be impacting residences mostly in the southern region, although authorities say that power was being slowly brought back.
Local media have reported that in some places homes have lost their roofs, and utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a person was fatally injured after being hit by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was swept into moving cars on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a moment that was filmed in a popular vehicle recording.
Aircraft services to and from the urban area have been halted due to the gusts, whereas some roads and libraries are not operating.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have announced a crisis declaration, to facilitate recovery activities.
Labor Protests During Extreme Weather
The powerful gales on Thursday coincide with many of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been called a "significant labor action", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the severe conditions has pressured them to alter various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or called off.
Similar gusts are impacting the nearby nation, ushering in a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Officials have declared flame prohibitions for fear of forest fires.
