Powerful gusts attaining velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused around 90,000 homes experiencing outages and led agencies to call off in excess of 100 air travel services, as reported by domestic outlets.
The winds are impacting the whole southern region and southern sections of the North Island, according to the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have announced infrequent high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in key areas encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been encouraged to avoid going outside, refrain from journeys, and make arrangements for additional power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Response
The electricity loss appears to be affecting households mostly in the South Island, though authorities report that energy was being restored progressively.
Regional news have stated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, and trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a person was fatally injured after being hit by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a female was swept into moving cars on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Air travel in and out of the city have been cancelled as a result of the winds, and various routes and public facilities are shut down.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have issued a emergency situation, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Strike Action During Harsh Conditions
The powerful gales on Thursday coincide with numerous of educators, medical professionals and government employees take part in what has been called a "significant labor action", demanding improved salaries and workplace environments.
But the extreme weather has pressured them to alter some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or abandoned.
Similar gusts are impacting the neighboring country, bringing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have announced flame prohibitions for concern about forest fires.
