Severe gales hitting speeds of up to 155km/h (96mph) have left nearly 90,000 properties experiencing outages and led authorities to call off in excess of 100 flights, according to local media.
The gales are influencing the entire South Island and lower areas of the northern region, per the weather forecasting body.
Officials in New Zealand have released uncommon red wind warnings - the highest alert level - in central regions encompassing Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been encouraged to avoid going outside, stay off roads, and get ready for more utility disruptions.
Broad Damage and Crisis Measures
This outage appears to be affecting households mostly in the South Island, while authorities say that energy was being gradually reinstated.
Local media have indicated that in certain areas homes have lost their roofs, while trees and electricity poles have been knocked down by the gales.
Within the capital, a individual was fatally injured after being impacted by a tree branch at a frequent walking route on Tuesday.
Also in the capital, a female was swept into moving cars on a street by a strong gust of wind, in a event that was recorded in a popular vehicle recording.
Flights in and out of the urban area have been cancelled because of the winds, whereas some roads and libraries are not operating.
At the same time Canterbury officials have announced a state of emergency, to support emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages Amid Extreme Weather
The powerful gales on Thursday occur while numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been called a "significant labor action", calling for better pay and working conditions.
However the extreme weather has pressured them to change some of their plans, with several external protests moved indoors or cancelled.
Like conditions are affecting the nearby nation, bringing a period of extreme heat to the remote areas.
Agencies have issued burning restrictions for concern about forest fires.
