Powerful gusts reaching velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced agencies to halt over 100 flights, according to domestic outlets.
The winds are affecting the entire South Island and southern parts of the North Island, per the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have issued rare high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in core zones such as Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been advised to stay indoors, stay off roads, and get ready for additional utility disruptions.
Broad Destruction and Emergency Response
The electricity loss is primarily influencing households predominantly in the southern region, although agencies report that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Regional news have indicated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, and power lines and trees have been knocked down by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a man was fatally injured after being struck by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a woman was swept into moving cars on a road by a intensive burst, in a moment that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Flights to and from the metropolis have been cancelled because of the winds, and some roads and libraries are not operating.
Meanwhile local leaders have announced a state of emergency, to facilitate recovery activities.
Strike Action During Extreme Conditions
The powerful gales on today occur while tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been termed a "significant labor action", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the intense climate has compelled them to modify certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Similar gusts are affecting Australia, bringing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have issued fire bans for apprehension regarding forest fires.
