Intense winds hitting velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 properties experiencing outages and led officials to halt over 100 air travel services, according to local media.
These gusts are affecting the whole South Island and southern parts of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
The nation's agencies have released rare severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in key areas including Canterbury and Wellington.
People have been encouraged to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and make arrangements for more utility disruptions.
Broad Damage and Emergency Response
This outage is primarily influencing households mainly in the South Island, although agencies report that energy was being slowly brought back.
Domestic outlets have stated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, while utility poles and vegetation have been toppled by the gales.
Within the capital, a person was killed after being struck by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Additionally in the city, a female was swept into approaching vehicles on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was captured in a popular vehicle recording.
Aircraft services entering and leaving the city have been cancelled due to the weather, and certain highways and community centers are shut down.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have issued a state of emergency, to facilitate emergency management operations.
Labor Protests Alongside Harsh Conditions
The wild winds on today occur while numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been called a "significant labor action", demanding higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
However the extreme weather has pressured them to change some of their plans, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or cancelled.
Similar gusts are also sweeping Australia, causing a heatwave to the remote areas.
Agencies have declared flame prohibitions for concern about forest fires.
