Intense gusts hitting velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 properties experiencing outages and led officials to cancel more than 100 flights, based on local media.
The gales are affecting the whole southern region and southern parts of the northern region, per the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have issued infrequent red wind warnings - the top caution category - in central regions such as Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been advised to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for more power and communication outages.
Widespread Damage and Crisis Response
The power cut appears to be affecting residences mostly in the South Island, while agencies report that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have reported that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while power lines and trees have been brought down by the winds.
In Wellington, a person was fatally injured after being struck by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was pushed toward moving cars on a road by a strong gust of wind, in a moment that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights to and from the urban area have been suspended due to the gusts, while some roads and libraries are also closed.
Meanwhile Canterbury officials have announced a state of emergency, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Strike Action Amid Extreme Weather
These intense gusts on this day coincide with tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been described as a "major walkout", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
Yet the severe conditions has compelled them to alter some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings shifted to interior venues or called off.
Like conditions are affecting the neighboring country, ushering in a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have issued burning restrictions for fear of forest fires.
