Severe gales reaching speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 households without power and forced officials to call off over 100 flights, based on regional news sources.
The gales are impacting the whole South Island and southern sections of the northern region, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have released infrequent red wind warnings - the top caution category - in central regions including Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been urged to remain inside, refrain from journeys, and get ready for more power and communication outages.
Broad Impact and Emergency Response
This outage appears to be affecting households mainly in the southern region, though authorities state that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have indicated that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, whereas power lines and trees have been toppled by the winds.
Within the capital, a man was killed after being struck by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a female was swept into moving cars on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a event that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the city have been cancelled as a result of the weather, whereas various routes and public facilities are shut down.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have announced a emergency situation, to support emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Amid Severe Conditions
These intense gusts on Thursday coincide with tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been termed a "significant labor action", requesting better pay and working conditions.
But the extreme weather has compelled them to modify some of their plans, with several external protests moved indoors or called off.
Similar gusts are affecting the neighboring country, causing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have declared burning restrictions for apprehension regarding wildfires.
