Severe winds attaining velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 households without power and compelled authorities to call off more than 100 air travel services, as reported by domestic outlets.
The winds are influencing the whole South Island and southern sections of the North Island, according to the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have announced uncommon high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in key areas including Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been encouraged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and get ready for additional electricity and network failures.
Broad Impact and Crisis Measures
This outage appears to be affecting homes mainly in the South Island, though authorities report that power was being slowly brought back.
Domestic outlets have reported that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while power lines and trees have been toppled by the gales.
In Wellington, a man was killed after being impacted by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a female was blown onto moving cars on a road by a powerful blast, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services in and out of the urban area have been cancelled as a result of the winds, and various routes and public facilities are also closed.
At the same time local leaders have announced a crisis declaration, to assist recovery activities.
Work Stoppages During Severe Conditions
The powerful gales on today occur while numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been called a "significant labor action", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the intense climate has compelled them to modify some of their plans, with several external protests moved indoors or called off.
Similar gusts are affecting the neighboring country, bringing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued burning restrictions for apprehension regarding forest fires.
