Intense winds attaining speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 homes experiencing outages and forced agencies to halt in excess of 100 air travel services, based on local media.
The gales are influencing the whole southern region and southern sections of the northern region, according to the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have released uncommon severe gust advisories - the top caution category - in core zones such as these major districts.
People have been advised to stay indoors, avoid travel, and prepare for more power and communication outages.
Broad Impact and Emergency Response
The electricity loss is primarily influencing homes predominantly in the South Island, while authorities say that the electricity supply was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have reported that in various locations homes have lost their roofs, and power lines and trees have been toppled by the gales.
Within the capital, a man was lost his life after being struck by a wooden fragment at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a individual was swept into approaching vehicles on a thoroughfare by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was captured in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the city have been halted as a result of the gusts, whereas some roads and libraries are not operating.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have declared a state of emergency, to support disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests Amid Severe Weather
The wild winds on today coincide with many of educators, medical professionals and government employees are engaged in what has been described as a "significant labor action", requesting better pay and working conditions.
But the severe conditions has pressured them to modify certain arrangements, with several external protests relocated inside or abandoned.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the neighboring country, causing a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Agencies have issued burning restrictions for fear of forest fires.
