Severe gusts hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in approximately 90,000 homes without power and led agencies to cancel more than 100 aircraft departures, based on domestic outlets.
These gusts are influencing the complete South Island and lower areas of the North Island, according to the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have announced infrequent severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in central regions including Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been encouraged to remain inside, refrain from journeys, and prepare for more power and communication outages.
Broad Destruction and Emergency Response
This outage is primarily influencing households mainly in the South Island, though agencies state that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have stated that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, and power lines and trees have been toppled by the gales.
Across Wellington, a man was killed after being impacted by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a woman was blown onto approaching vehicles on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services in and out of the urban area have been halted because of the gusts, while various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have declared a state of emergency, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages Amid Extreme Conditions
The wild winds on this day occur while many of educators, medical professionals and government employees are engaged in what has been called a "major walkout", calling for better pay and working conditions.
However the extreme weather has pressured them to modify certain arrangements, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Similar gusts are affecting Australia, bringing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have announced fire bans for fear of forest fires.
