Powerful gusts hitting speeds of approximately 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 households without power and led agencies to halt over 100 aircraft departures, according to local media.
The gales are impacting the entire South Island and southern parts of the North Island, per the national weather agency.
Officials in New Zealand have released rare red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in central regions such as Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been urged to remain inside, avoid travel, and make arrangements for more electricity and network failures.
Widespread Damage and Crisis Response
This outage seems to be impacting residences mostly in the southern region, while agencies state that power was being restored progressively.
Local media have stated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, and utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a man was lost his life after being struck by a wooden fragment at a well-known hiking path on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was blown onto moving cars on a thoroughfare by a strong gust of wind, in a incident that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel entering and leaving the city have been halted because of the weather, while some roads and libraries are shut down.
At the same time authorities in Canterbury have declared a crisis declaration, to assist disaster response efforts.
Labor Protests During Harsh Conditions
The wild winds on today occur while many of teachers, doctors and other public workers take part in what has been called a "major walkout", calling for better pay and working conditions.
But the severe conditions has pressured them to change various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies relocated inside or abandoned.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the nearby nation, ushering in a period of extreme heat to the country's outback.
Agencies have declared burning restrictions for concern about forest fires.
