Severe gusts hitting speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 properties experiencing outages and led agencies to call off more than 100 flights, as reported by local media.
These gusts are influencing the entire southern region and southern parts of the North Island, per the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the most severe warning - in key areas encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been encouraged to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and get ready for more utility disruptions.
Extensive Impact and Emergency Response
The power cut is primarily influencing homes mostly in the southern region, though agencies say that the electricity supply was being slowly brought back.
Local media have indicated that in certain areas structures have suffered roof damage, while trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the winds.
Across Wellington, a person was lost his life after being hit by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Meanwhile in Wellington, a female was swept into moving cars on a road by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was filmed in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services to and from the metropolis have been cancelled as a result of the weather, while various routes and public facilities are shut down.
At the same time local leaders have announced a state of emergency, to support recovery activities.
Labor Protests During Harsh Conditions
The wild winds on today come as tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants are participating in what has been called a "mega strike", calling for improved salaries and workplace environments.
Yet the severe conditions has pressured them to change certain arrangements, with several external protests relocated inside or abandoned.
Similar gusts are also sweeping Australia, bringing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have announced fire bans for fear of wildfires.
