Severe gales attaining speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced agencies to call off in excess of 100 aircraft departures, as reported by local media.
The gales are impacting the complete southern region and southern parts of the northern region, as stated by the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have issued rare high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in key areas encompassing these major districts.
Locals have been urged to remain inside, refrain from journeys, and prepare for further utility disruptions.
Broad Impact and Crisis Response
This outage appears to be affecting households mostly in the South Island, though agencies say that energy was being slowly brought back.
Domestic outlets have reported that in some places homes have lost their roofs, whereas power lines and trees have been knocked down by the winds.
Across Wellington, a man was fatally injured after being hit by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was swept into approaching vehicles on a road by a powerful blast, in a moment that was captured in a popular vehicle recording.
Flights entering and leaving the urban area have been suspended as a result of the weather, while certain highways and community centers are shut down.
Meanwhile local leaders have issued a state of emergency, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests During Extreme Conditions
The wild winds on Thursday occur while tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees are engaged in what has been termed a "major walkout", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the severe conditions has compelled them to alter some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Similar gusts are impacting the nearby nation, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued flame prohibitions for apprehension regarding forest fires.
