Powerful gales attaining velocities of up to 155km/h (96mph) have caused nearly 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced authorities to call off more than 100 flights, based on local media.
These gusts are influencing the complete southern region and southern parts of the North Island, according to the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the top caution category - in central regions including Canterbury and Wellington.
Locals have been urged to remain inside, avoid travel, and prepare for additional utility disruptions.
Broad Damage and Crisis Response
This outage is primarily influencing households mostly in the southern region, while agencies say that power was being restored progressively.
Local media have stated that in various locations structures have suffered roof damage, while trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the gusts.
In Wellington, a individual was lost his life after being struck by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a individual was blown onto moving cars on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel in and out of the urban area have been halted because of the weather, and various routes and public facilities are also closed.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have issued a crisis declaration, to facilitate recovery activities.
Labor Protests Amid Severe Weather
The powerful gales on Thursday coincide with many of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been termed a "significant labor action", calling for better pay and working conditions.
However the severe conditions has compelled them to change various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or called off.
Comparable winds are impacting the neighboring country, causing a heatwave to the nation's interior regions.
Agencies have issued flame prohibitions for fear of wildfires.
