Intense gusts hitting velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced officials to call off over 100 flights, based on regional news sources.
The gales are affecting the entire South Island and southern sections of the northern region, per the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have announced infrequent severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in core zones encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been encouraged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and prepare for more utility disruptions.
Broad Damage and Crisis Measures
This outage is primarily influencing residences mainly in the South Island, while agencies report that power was being slowly brought back.
Local media have indicated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gales.
Across Wellington, a person was lost his life after being hit by a wooden fragment at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a female was blown onto approaching vehicles on a road by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights in and out of the urban area have been halted because of the gusts, and some roads and libraries are not operating.
At the same time Canterbury officials have announced a emergency situation, to assist emergency management operations.
Labor Protests During Extreme Weather
The powerful gales on Thursday occur while many of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been called a "significant labor action", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the intense climate has forced them to modify some of their plans, with several external protests moved indoors or called off.
Comparable winds are also sweeping Australia, causing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have announced burning restrictions for concern about forest fires.
