Severe gusts reaching velocities of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 properties experiencing outages and led officials to halt over 100 flights, as reported by local media.
These gusts are impacting the complete South Island and southern parts of the North Island, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have announced uncommon severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in central regions including these major districts.
People have been urged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for additional power and communication outages.
Widespread Destruction and Emergency Response
The power cut appears to be affecting households mostly in the South Island, although authorities say that energy was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have indicated that in various locations roofs have been ripped off houses, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the winds.
Across Wellington, a man was killed after being impacted by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a road by a powerful blast, in a moment that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services in and out of the city have been halted due to the gusts, while some roads and libraries are also closed.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have declared a state of emergency, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Amid Severe Weather
The wild winds on Thursday coincide with numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been described as a "mega strike", requesting better pay and working conditions.
Yet the severe conditions has pressured them to change various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Like conditions are affecting Australia, causing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have issued fire bans for concern about wildfires.
