Intense gales reaching speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 households experiencing outages and led authorities to halt over 100 aircraft departures, as reported by local media.
These gusts are affecting the whole southern region and southern parts of the northern region, according to the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have issued rare severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in central regions encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been advised to avoid going outside, refrain from journeys, and prepare for more power and communication outages.
Extensive Impact and Emergency Measures
The power cut appears to be affecting households mainly in the South Island, although officials say that power was being slowly brought back.
Local media have indicated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas power lines and trees have been brought down by the winds.
Within the capital, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a female was blown onto moving cars on a street by a intensive burst, in a event that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel to and from the urban area have been suspended as a result of the gusts, and various routes and public facilities are also closed.
At the same time Canterbury officials have declared a emergency situation, to support recovery activities.
Labor Protests Amid Harsh Conditions
The wild winds on today occur while numerous of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been termed a "mega strike", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the intense climate has pressured them to change various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Like conditions are affecting Australia, bringing a period of extreme heat to the remote areas.
Officials have issued flame prohibitions for apprehension regarding wildfires.
