Severe winds reaching speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 homes without power and forced officials to call off over 100 air travel services, as reported by regional news sources.
These gusts are impacting the complete South Island and southern sections of the North Island, as stated by the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have released uncommon severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in key areas including Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been encouraged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and prepare for further power and communication outages.
Broad Destruction and Crisis Measures
This outage appears to be affecting households mostly in the South Island, while agencies report that power was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have stated that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the winds.
In Wellington, a man was fatally injured after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was swept into oncoming traffic on a road by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel in and out of the urban area have been halted as a result of the weather, while some roads and libraries are not operating.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have issued a crisis declaration, to support recovery activities.
Work Stoppages Amid Harsh Weather
These intense gusts on this day occur while numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been called a "mega strike", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the extreme weather has pressured them to change various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or called off.
Like conditions are impacting Australia, causing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have announced flame prohibitions for fear of bushfires.
