Severe gales attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced agencies to cancel more than 100 aircraft departures, as reported by local media.
These gusts are affecting the whole South Island and lower areas of the northern region, per the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have announced infrequent severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in central regions encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been encouraged to remain inside, refrain from journeys, and prepare for additional power and communication outages.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Response
This outage appears to be affecting residences mostly in the South Island, while officials state that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have indicated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, and utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gales.
Across Wellington, a man was lost his life after being struck by a tree branch at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was blown onto oncoming traffic on a street by a intensive burst, in a incident that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights entering and leaving the urban area have been halted as a result of the weather, and various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Simultaneously local leaders have issued a crisis declaration, to facilitate recovery activities.
Work Stoppages Alongside Severe Weather
The wild winds on this day come as many of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been described as a "major walkout", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the severe conditions has pressured them to modify some of their plans, with several external protests relocated inside or called off.
Comparable winds are affecting the nearby nation, bringing a period of extreme heat to the remote areas.
Officials have declared fire bans for apprehension regarding wildfires.
