Powerful gusts attaining velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 households without power and led officials to halt more than 100 aircraft departures, according to regional news sources.
The gales are influencing the whole South Island and lower areas of the northern region, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
The nation's agencies have announced infrequent high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in core zones such as Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been urged to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and prepare for additional power and communication outages.
Broad Damage and Crisis Response
This outage seems to be impacting residences mainly in the South Island, while agencies report that energy was being slowly brought back.
Local media have reported that in certain areas structures have suffered roof damage, and utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the winds.
Across Wellington, a man was killed after being hit by a tree branch at a well-known hiking path on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was pushed toward oncoming traffic on a street by a intensive burst, in a moment that was recorded in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the metropolis have been suspended due to the weather, whereas some roads and libraries are shut down.
At the same time local leaders have announced a state of emergency, to support disaster response efforts.
Work Stoppages During Severe Weather
The powerful gales on Thursday come as many of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been described as a "mega strike", demanding better pay and working conditions.
However the severe conditions has forced them to change some of their plans, with various open-air gatherings relocated inside or cancelled.
Similar gusts are affecting the nearby nation, causing a period of extreme heat to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have issued fire bans for fear of bushfires.
