Intense Winds Cause Numerous Homes Without Power in the Island Nation
Severe gales hitting velocities of as high as 155km/h (96mph) have resulted in around 90,000 households experiencing outages and forced officials to call off in excess of 100 aircraft departures, as reported by local media.
The gales are impacting the entire southern region and lower areas of the North Island, as stated by the weather forecasting body.
New Zealand authorities have announced rare severe gust advisories - the highest alert level - in key areas such as Canterbury and Wellington.
Residents have been advised to avoid going outside, avoid travel, and prepare for additional utility disruptions.
Extensive Damage and Crisis Measures
This outage appears to be affecting residences predominantly in the South Island, although officials say that power was being restored progressively.
Regional news have indicated that in certain areas roofs have been ripped off houses, and utility poles and vegetation have been brought down by the gusts.
Within the capital, a individual was fatally injured after being impacted by a tree branch at a frequent walking route on earlier this week.
Also in the capital, a individual was blown onto oncoming traffic on a thoroughfare by a powerful blast, in a event that was filmed in a widely shared car camera footage.
Air travel in and out of the metropolis have been suspended because of the weather, while some roads and libraries are also closed.
Simultaneously Canterbury officials have declared a emergency situation, to assist recovery activities.
Labor Protests Amid Extreme Weather
The powerful gales on Thursday coincide with numerous of school staff, physicians and civil servants take part in what has been described as a "significant labor action", requesting higher wages and enhanced employment terms.
However the severe conditions has forced them to modify certain arrangements, with some outdoor rallies shifted to interior venues or called off.
Comparable winds are also sweeping the nearby nation, causing a heatwave to the remote areas.
Agencies have declared burning restrictions for concern about wildfires.
