Intense winds hitting velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 homes without power and compelled officials to call off over 100 aircraft departures, based on local media.
The winds are impacting the entire South Island and southern parts of the North Island, per the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have released uncommon high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in central regions including Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been advised to stay indoors, avoid travel, and get ready for more power and communication outages.
Extensive Impact and Crisis Measures
This outage appears to be affecting homes mainly in the South Island, though officials say that power was being restored progressively.
Local media have reported that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, whereas power lines and trees have been knocked down by the gales.
Across Wellington, a man was lost his life after being hit by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a woman was blown onto oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a event that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the urban area have been suspended due to the winds, while some roads and libraries are not operating.
Simultaneously local leaders have issued a emergency situation, to support disaster response efforts.
Strike Action During Harsh Weather
The powerful gales on Thursday coincide with numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been called a "significant labor action", requesting better pay and working conditions.
However the severe conditions has compelled them to modify some of their plans, with several external protests relocated inside or cancelled.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the neighboring country, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have declared flame prohibitions for fear of bushfires.