Severe winds reaching speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 properties without power and forced officials to call off more than 100 air travel services, based on local media.
These gusts are impacting the entire southern region and lower areas of the northern region, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have released rare red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in key areas such as these major districts.
Residents have been urged to remain inside, stay off roads, and get ready for additional electricity and network failures.
Broad Impact and Emergency Response
This outage appears to be affecting homes mostly in the southern region, though officials state that energy was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have indicated that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, and power lines and trees have been toppled by the winds.
In Wellington, a person was fatally injured after being struck by a falling limb at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a female was blown onto moving cars on a street by a powerful blast, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights in and out of the city have been halted as a result of the winds, whereas various routes and public facilities are not operating.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have issued a emergency situation, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Strike Action Amid Extreme Conditions
The wild winds on Thursday coincide with tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been described as a "significant labor action", calling for better pay and working conditions.
But the extreme weather has pressured them to modify various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or abandoned.
Similar gusts are affecting the nearby nation, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have announced burning restrictions for concern about forest fires.
