Severe gales reaching speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 households experiencing outages and compelled authorities to halt more than 100 air travel services, according to domestic outlets.
The winds are influencing the whole southern region and lower areas of the northern region, according to the country's meteorological service.
New Zealand authorities have announced uncommon high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in core zones such as Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been urged to avoid going outside, refrain from journeys, and get ready for further power and communication outages.
Broad Destruction and Emergency Response
The power cut appears to be affecting households mostly in the southern region, although agencies report that energy was being slowly brought back.
Domestic outlets have reported that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the winds.
In Wellington, a person was killed after being hit by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a female was pushed toward moving cars on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a moment that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the urban area have been halted due to the winds, and some roads and libraries are also closed.
At the same time Canterbury officials have announced a state of emergency, to support disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests Alongside Severe Conditions
These intense gusts on Thursday occur while tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are engaged in what has been described as a "significant labor action", requesting better pay and working conditions.
However the intense climate has pressured them to alter various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Like conditions are also sweeping Australia, ushering in a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have declared flame prohibitions for fear of bushfires.
