Severe winds hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 properties experiencing outages and forced authorities to call off over 100 air travel services, based on regional news sources.
The winds are influencing the whole South Island and southern sections of the northern region, per the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have released rare severe gust advisories - the most severe warning - in central regions encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been urged to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for additional utility disruptions.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Response
This outage seems to be impacting households mainly in the South Island, while agencies say that power was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have stated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, while trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the winds.
Across Wellington, a man was killed after being struck by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was pushed toward moving cars on a street by a intensive burst, in a incident that was filmed in a popular vehicle recording.
Flights in and out of the city have been suspended because of the weather, while various routes and public facilities are not operating.
At the same time local leaders have declared a state of emergency, to facilitate recovery activities.
Strike Action Alongside Extreme Weather
The powerful gales on today occur while tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been termed a "mega strike", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
However the extreme weather has pressured them to change various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies relocated inside or cancelled.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the nearby nation, ushering in a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have declared burning restrictions for fear of bushfires.
