Severe winds attaining speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and led officials to call off over 100 aircraft departures, as reported by regional news sources.
These gusts are affecting the complete South Island and southern sections of the northern region, as stated by the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have issued uncommon high-level wind alerts - the highest alert level - in key areas including Wellington and Canterbury.
Residents have been urged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and get ready for more power and communication outages.
Widespread Impact and Emergency Measures
The power cut seems to be impacting homes mostly in the southern region, while authorities say that power was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have stated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, whereas trees and electricity poles have been brought down by the gales.
In Wellington, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a tree branch at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a female was swept into moving cars on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a moment that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the metropolis have been halted because of the weather, while certain highways and community centers are not operating.
Simultaneously authorities in Canterbury have announced a emergency situation, to facilitate disaster response efforts.
Strike Action During Harsh Conditions
The powerful gales on Thursday occur while tens of thousands of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been called a "major walkout", requesting better pay and working conditions.
Yet the extreme weather has forced them to change various scheduled activities, with various open-air gatherings moved indoors or abandoned.
Similar gusts are impacting Australia, bringing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Officials have announced flame prohibitions for apprehension regarding forest fires.
