Intense gusts reaching velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in nearly 90,000 households without power and forced officials to call off more than 100 air travel services, as reported by regional news sources.
The gales are impacting the complete southern region and lower areas of the northern region, per the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have issued rare high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in central regions including Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been encouraged to remain inside, stay off roads, and get ready for more power and communication outages.
Extensive Damage and Crisis Response
This outage is primarily influencing residences mostly in the southern region, while officials state that power was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have indicated that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, while utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the gales.
In Wellington, a person was killed after being struck by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Additionally in the city, a woman was blown onto moving cars on a road by a intensive burst, in a moment that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights entering and leaving the city have been cancelled as a result of the weather, whereas some roads and libraries are not operating.
At the same time local leaders have announced a crisis declaration, to support recovery activities.
Work Stoppages During Extreme Conditions
The powerful gales on Thursday come as many of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been called a "significant labor action", calling for better pay and working conditions.
However the extreme weather has compelled them to modify certain arrangements, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or abandoned.
Similar gusts are impacting Australia, ushering in a heatwave to the remote areas.
Officials have declared flame prohibitions for concern about forest fires.
