Intense gusts hitting velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 properties experiencing outages and forced agencies to cancel in excess of 100 flights, as reported by local media.
The winds are influencing the complete South Island and southern parts of the northern region, according to the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have announced uncommon red wind warnings - the most severe warning - in core zones encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been advised to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for more electricity and network failures.
Broad Damage and Emergency Measures
This outage appears to be affecting households mostly in the South Island, though agencies state that energy was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have reported that in various locations roofs have been ripped off houses, while utility poles and vegetation have been knocked down by the gales.
In Wellington, a man was lost his life after being struck by a tree branch at a popular trail walking spot on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a female was pushed toward approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a intensive burst, in a moment that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Flights in and out of the city have been cancelled because of the winds, whereas certain highways and community centers are shut down.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have issued a crisis declaration, to assist emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Alongside Extreme Conditions
These intense gusts on Thursday coincide with tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers are participating in what has been called a "significant labor action", demanding better pay and working conditions.
But the extreme weather has forced them to change various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Like conditions are impacting the neighboring country, causing a period of extreme heat to the remote areas.
Agencies have issued fire bans for apprehension regarding forest fires.
