Severe gales attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced authorities to halt more than 100 air travel services, based on local media.
These gusts are impacting the entire southern region and southern parts of the northern region, as stated by the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have issued infrequent high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in central regions encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been urged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and get ready for additional electricity and network failures.
Broad Damage and Emergency Response
The power cut seems to be impacting residences predominantly in the southern region, while officials report that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have stated that in various locations roofs have been ripped off houses, while utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a person was fatally injured after being struck by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a individual was blown onto approaching vehicles on a road by a powerful blast, in a moment that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights to and from the urban area have been cancelled as a result of the weather, and various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have announced a state of emergency, to support recovery activities.
Labor Protests During Severe Conditions
These intense gusts on today come as tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been described as a "mega strike", calling for better pay and working conditions.
However the extreme weather has forced them to alter some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or called off.
Like conditions are also sweeping the neighboring country, ushering in a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have declared fire bans for concern about bushfires.
