Powerful winds reaching velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have caused around 90,000 properties experiencing outages and forced officials to halt more than 100 flights, according to domestic outlets.
The winds are affecting the whole southern region and southern parts of the northern region, according to the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have announced infrequent high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in core zones such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been urged to remain inside, stay off roads, and get ready for more electricity and network failures.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Response
This outage seems to be impacting residences mostly in the South Island, although agencies state that power was being gradually reinstated.
Domestic outlets have indicated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas power lines and trees have been knocked down by the winds.
Within the capital, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a female was pushed toward approaching vehicles on a road by a intensive burst, in a event that was filmed in a popular vehicle recording.
Flights entering and leaving the city have been cancelled because of the weather, while certain highways and community centers are not operating.
Meanwhile authorities in Canterbury have announced a emergency situation, to assist disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests Amid Severe Weather
The powerful gales on Thursday coincide with many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been called a "significant labor action", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the severe conditions has forced them to change certain arrangements, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or called off.
Comparable winds are affecting Australia, ushering in a high-temperature event to the country's outback.
Officials have declared fire bans for apprehension regarding bushfires.
