Intense gusts hitting speeds of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have left approximately 90,000 homes without power and compelled agencies to halt over 100 air travel services, based on local media.
The gales are influencing the whole South Island and lower areas of the North Island, per the country's meteorological service.
The nation's agencies have announced infrequent severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in central regions including these major districts.
Locals have been encouraged to stay indoors, avoid travel, and prepare for more electricity and network failures.
Extensive Destruction and Crisis Response
This outage appears to be affecting homes predominantly in the southern region, although officials say that power was being slowly brought back.
Regional news have indicated that in some places roofs have been ripped off houses, and trees and electricity poles have been toppled by the winds.
In Wellington, a man was lost his life after being impacted by a wooden fragment at a popular trail walking spot on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a female was swept into oncoming traffic on a road by a intensive burst, in a event that was captured in a viral dashcam video.
Flights to and from the city have been halted due to the winds, while certain highways and community centers are not operating.
At the same time local leaders have declared a emergency situation, to support emergency management operations.
Work Stoppages During Severe Conditions
The wild winds on Thursday come as tens of thousands of teachers, doctors and other public workers are engaged in what has been called a "major walkout", calling for higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
But the intense climate has compelled them to alter various scheduled activities, with several external protests shifted to interior venues or called off.
Like conditions are also sweeping the neighboring country, bringing a high-temperature event to the remote areas.
Officials have issued fire bans for concern about wildfires.
