Severe gusts reaching speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and led officials to cancel in excess of 100 aircraft departures, according to local media.
These gusts are influencing the entire South Island and southern sections of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have issued uncommon red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in central regions including Wellington and Canterbury.
Locals have been urged to avoid going outside, refrain from journeys, and prepare for further power and communication outages.
Extensive Damage and Emergency Measures
The electricity loss appears to be affecting residences mainly in the South Island, while authorities say that energy was being restored progressively.
Local media have reported that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the gusts.
Across Wellington, a person was fatally injured after being hit by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a woman was swept into approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare 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 winds, while various routes and public facilities are not operating.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have issued a crisis declaration, to assist recovery activities.
Strike Action Amid Severe Weather
These intense gusts on Thursday coincide with many of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been described as a "significant labor action", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the extreme weather has compelled them to modify certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies relocated inside or cancelled.
Comparable winds are affecting Australia, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have declared burning restrictions for fear of bushfires.
