Severe winds hitting speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 homes lacking electricity and led officials to cancel in excess of 100 aircraft departures, according to domestic outlets.
These gusts are affecting the entire southern region and southern sections of the northern region, per the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have announced uncommon severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in central regions including these major districts.
People have been advised to stay indoors, stay off roads, and make arrangements for additional power and communication outages.
Extensive Impact and Crisis Measures
This outage seems to be impacting residences mainly in the southern region, although authorities report that power was being gradually reinstated.
Domestic outlets have stated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, and trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the winds.
Within the capital, a person was killed after being impacted by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a individual was swept into moving cars on a street by a powerful blast, in a incident that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel in and out of the city have been suspended due to the gusts, and some roads and libraries are also closed.
Simultaneously local leaders have issued a state of emergency, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Strike Action During Severe Conditions
The wild winds on Thursday occur while numerous of educators, medical professionals and government employees take part in what has been termed a "significant labor action", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the extreme weather has forced them to change some of their plans, with several external protests relocated inside or called off.
Comparable winds are affecting the nearby nation, causing a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Authorities have issued flame prohibitions for apprehension regarding bushfires.
