Powerful gusts hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 properties without power and forced officials to halt in excess of 100 aircraft departures, according to domestic outlets.
The winds are influencing the entire South Island and southern parts of the North Island, according to the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have announced rare severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in central regions including Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been urged to stay indoors, stay off roads, and make arrangements for further electricity and network failures.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Response
This outage is primarily influencing households predominantly in the South Island, though authorities say that power was being slowly brought back.
Local media have stated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, and trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the gales.
In Wellington, a individual was killed after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was swept into oncoming traffic on a road by a intensive burst, in a event that was filmed in a popular vehicle recording.
Aircraft services in and out of the urban area have been suspended as a result of the gusts, and certain highways and community centers are shut down.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have issued a state of emergency, to support recovery activities.
Work Stoppages Amid Severe Conditions
The wild winds on today coincide with tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been called a "mega strike", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the extreme weather has compelled them to change certain arrangements, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or cancelled.
Comparable winds are affecting Australia, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the remote areas.
Officials have announced burning restrictions for apprehension regarding bushfires.
