Intense gales reaching speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and led officials to halt over 100 aircraft departures, according to regional news sources.
These gusts are affecting the entire southern region and southern sections of the North Island, per the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have announced infrequent red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in key areas encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been encouraged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and make arrangements for further electricity and network failures.
Broad Damage and Emergency Measures
This outage seems to be impacting households mostly in the southern region, while agencies report that energy was being restored progressively.
Regional news have reported that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while power lines and trees have been knocked down by the winds.
Across Wellington, a man was killed after being hit by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a individual was swept into approaching vehicles on a road by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services to and from the metropolis have been halted because of the gusts, whereas some roads and libraries are shut down.
At the same time Canterbury officials have declared a state of emergency, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests Amid Severe Weather
The wild winds on this day occur while numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been termed a "major walkout", requesting improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the severe conditions has forced them to alter certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or cancelled.
Similar gusts are affecting the neighboring country, bringing a heatwave to the remote areas.
Agencies have declared burning restrictions for concern about bushfires.
