Intense winds reaching speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 homes lacking electricity and led authorities to halt in excess of 100 flights, according to regional news sources.
The gales are impacting the whole southern region and southern sections of the northern region, according to the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have issued rare red wind warnings - the top caution category - in core zones encompassing Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been encouraged to remain inside, avoid travel, and get ready for further power and communication outages.
Extensive Damage and Crisis Response
This outage is primarily influencing residences mainly in the South Island, though authorities state that the electricity supply was being restored progressively.
Local media have reported that in various locations roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas power lines and trees have been knocked down by the gusts.
In Wellington, a individual was fatally injured after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a woman was blown onto approaching vehicles on a road by a strong gust of wind, in a moment that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel to and from the city have been cancelled due to the winds, whereas various routes and public facilities are shut down.
At the same time local leaders have declared a emergency situation, to support emergency management operations.
Strike Action During Extreme Weather
The wild winds on today coincide with many of educators, medical professionals and government employees are participating in what has been termed a "major walkout", demanding improved salaries and workplace environments.
But the extreme weather has compelled them to change some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or cancelled.
Comparable winds are affecting Australia, bringing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued burning restrictions for concern about forest fires.
