Powerful gales hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced agencies to call off in excess of 100 aircraft departures, as reported by domestic outlets.
The gales are impacting the whole South Island and southern sections of the North Island, according to the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have announced uncommon red wind warnings - the top caution category - in central regions such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been encouraged to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and prepare for additional utility disruptions.
Extensive Impact and Crisis Response
This outage seems to be impacting residences mainly in the southern region, though authorities state that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Local media have indicated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, whereas trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the winds.
In Wellington, a person was killed after being struck by a tree branch at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was swept into oncoming traffic on a road by a intensive burst, in a incident that was recorded in a popular vehicle recording.
Flights entering and leaving the city have been suspended as a result of the winds, whereas some roads and libraries are shut down.
Simultaneously local leaders have issued a emergency situation, to support emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages Alongside Extreme Weather
These intense gusts on today coincide with numerous of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been described as a "mega strike", requesting better pay and working conditions.
However the extreme weather has pressured them to change various scheduled activities, with several external protests relocated inside or abandoned.
Like conditions are impacting the neighboring country, causing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have announced fire bans for apprehension regarding forest fires.
