Intense gusts attaining speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 households experiencing outages and led agencies to halt over 100 air travel services, as reported by domestic outlets.
These gusts are affecting the complete South Island and lower areas of the North Island, according to the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have issued rare high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in key areas encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been encouraged to remain inside, avoid travel, and prepare for further power and communication outages.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Response
This outage is primarily influencing households mostly in the South Island, while officials state that energy was being slowly brought back.
Domestic outlets have indicated that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been toppled by the gusts.
Within the capital, a man was fatally injured after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a individual was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights entering and leaving the city have been suspended due to the gusts, whereas various routes and public facilities are not operating.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have announced a crisis declaration, to support recovery activities.
Strike Action During Severe Weather
The powerful gales on today coincide with many of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been described as a "significant labor action", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the intense climate has forced them to modify various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or cancelled.
Comparable winds are impacting Australia, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have declared burning restrictions for fear of forest fires.
