Powerful gales attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 households lacking electricity and led officials to halt over 100 air travel services, based on local media.
The gales are influencing the complete South Island and southern sections of the North Island, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in central regions such as Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been urged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for more electricity and network failures.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Measures
This outage is primarily influencing homes predominantly in the southern region, though officials say that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Domestic outlets have reported that in various locations roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gales.
Across Wellington, a man was fatally injured after being hit by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was swept into approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a event that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services in and out of the city have been halted because of the winds, whereas some roads and libraries are shut down.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have issued a state of emergency, to support disaster response efforts.
Strike Action During Extreme Conditions
The powerful gales on Thursday coincide with tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees take part in what has been described as a "major walkout", demanding better pay and working conditions.
However the extreme weather has compelled them to change various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies relocated inside or abandoned.
Similar gusts are affecting Australia, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have announced fire bans for concern about bushfires.
