Powerful winds reaching speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 properties experiencing outages and compelled officials to cancel in excess of 100 aircraft departures, as reported by regional news sources.
The winds are affecting the entire South Island and southern parts of the northern region, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have issued rare red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in central regions such as Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been encouraged to remain inside, avoid travel, and prepare for more power and communication outages.
Broad Impact and Crisis Response
The electricity loss is primarily influencing households mainly in the South Island, while officials say that power was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have indicated that in certain areas structures have suffered roof damage, while power lines and trees have been brought down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a man was fatally injured after being hit by a falling limb at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a woman was swept into approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel in and out of the city have been cancelled because of the weather, and certain highways and community centers are also closed.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have announced a state of emergency, to assist recovery activities.
Work Stoppages Alongside Extreme Conditions
These intense gusts on Thursday occur while numerous of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been described as a "significant labor action", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
However the intense climate has pressured them to alter certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies moved indoors or cancelled.
Similar gusts are affecting Australia, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have announced fire bans for concern about wildfires.
