Severe gales attaining velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused around 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced authorities to cancel over 100 air travel services, as reported by regional news sources.
The winds are influencing the whole South Island and southern sections of the North Island, according to the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have released rare high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in central regions encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been encouraged to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for additional power and communication outages.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Measures
The electricity loss is primarily influencing households mostly in the southern region, though agencies report that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Domestic outlets have indicated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, and trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the winds.
Within the capital, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a female was blown onto moving cars on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a moment that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights entering and leaving the city have been cancelled as a result of the gusts, whereas certain highways and community centers are not operating.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have announced a crisis declaration, to support disaster response efforts.
Strike Action Amid Severe Weather
The wild winds on Thursday occur while tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees take part in what has been termed a "significant labor action", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
But the severe conditions has forced them to change certain arrangements, with several external protests moved indoors or cancelled.
Like conditions are also sweeping the nearby nation, bringing a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Authorities have announced fire bans for apprehension regarding wildfires.
