Severe winds hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in approximately 90,000 properties experiencing outages and led officials to call off over 100 aircraft departures, as reported by domestic outlets.
These gusts are impacting the whole southern region and southern parts of the northern region, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have released infrequent red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in core zones encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been encouraged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and prepare for additional electricity and network failures.
Broad Destruction and Crisis Measures
The electricity loss seems to be impacting homes mostly in the southern region, though authorities say that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Domestic outlets have indicated that in certain areas structures have suffered roof damage, while utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a man was killed after being hit by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a female was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a street by a powerful blast, in a moment that was recorded in a viral dashcam video.
Flights entering and leaving the urban area have been cancelled due to the winds, and various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have issued a crisis declaration, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages Amid Severe Conditions
The wild winds on Thursday occur while many of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been described as a "significant labor action", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the extreme weather has pressured them to change various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Comparable winds are impacting the neighboring country, bringing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have declared flame prohibitions for concern about forest fires.
