Severe gales reaching velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left around 90,000 homes without power and forced officials to call off over 100 flights, according to local media.
The winds are impacting the whole South Island and southern sections of the northern region, according to the country's meteorological service.
Officials in New Zealand have announced infrequent severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in central regions including Wellington and Canterbury.
People have been advised to avoid going outside, refrain from journeys, and get ready for further power and communication outages.
Widespread Damage and Crisis Measures
The power cut appears to be affecting residences predominantly in the South Island, while agencies state that power was being gradually reinstated.
Regional news have stated that in some places homes have lost their roofs, whereas utility poles and vegetation have been toppled by the gales.
In Wellington, a person was lost his life after being impacted by a falling limb at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a woman was swept into moving cars on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a moment that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Aircraft services to and from the metropolis have been halted due to the winds, and certain highways and community centers are not operating.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have issued a crisis declaration, to facilitate recovery activities.
Labor Protests During Severe Weather
The wild winds on Thursday occur while tens of thousands of educators, medical professionals and government employees take part in what has been described as a "significant labor action", calling for better pay and working conditions.
However the severe conditions has forced them to change various scheduled activities, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or abandoned.
Similar gusts are impacting the neighboring country, causing a high-temperature event to the nation's interior regions.
Authorities have issued fire bans for apprehension regarding wildfires.
