Severe gusts reaching speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 households experiencing outages and compelled authorities to halt in excess of 100 aircraft departures, based on regional news sources.
These gusts are affecting the whole South Island and lower areas of the North Island, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have released infrequent severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in core zones encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been advised to remain inside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for further utility disruptions.
Broad Destruction and Emergency Measures
The power cut is primarily influencing homes mostly in the South Island, though officials report that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have stated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, while power lines and trees have been toppled by the gales.
In Wellington, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a female was blown onto approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a incident that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Flights to and from the metropolis have been suspended because of the gusts, and certain highways and community centers are not operating.
Meanwhile local leaders have issued a state of emergency, to assist recovery activities.
Strike Action Amid Extreme Conditions
These intense gusts on Thursday come as tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees are engaged in what has been described as a "mega strike", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the severe conditions has compelled them to change certain arrangements, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or called off.
Comparable winds are impacting the nearby nation, causing a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Agencies have declared fire bans for concern about bushfires.
