Auckland restaurateur Krishna Botica and Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck say they and other business owners are on edge for the return of the red traffic light. Video / NZ Herald

Omicron is the new variant of Covid-19, first detected in South Africa in November 2021. Video / NZ Herald

Government confirms plan for Omicron, Nicotine free cigarettes the future? And real-life Aquaman in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald

Fire crews are battling a well-involved house fire in Azalea Place, Wiri, Auckland. Video / Supplied

The case visited Ara-Tai Cafe in Auckland's Half Moon Bay between 12.30pm and 2pm. Video / NZ Herald

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Omicron during her opening address to the Labour Away Caucus near New Plymouth. Video / Mark Mitchell

Dashcam footage shows the driver of a silver hatchback speeding across lanes and crashing into the divider on the Auckland motorway. Video / Supplied

More Omicron in Auckland, help finally set to arrive in Tonga and NCEA results are released in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald

There are 24 Covid-19 cases in the community today. Video / NZ Herald

The latest room release was postponed last night as more returnees test positive for Omicron. Video / NZ Herald

Perendale ram sells for $15,500. Video / Michael Curreen / ODT

Omicron puts MIQ bookings back on ice, navy vessels set off to help Tonga and a prominent sportsman faces jail time after stealing from his grandfather in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald

Footage of robbery at the Christies Watches and Jewellery at Hunters Plaza in Auckland's Papatoetoe show display cases smashed open and glass littering the shop floor. Video / Supplied

There were 14 cases today. A household contact of a MIQ worker with Omicron has also tested positive for Covid-19. Video / NZ Herald

MetService National weather: January 18th-20th.

MetService Christchurch weather: January 19th.

MetService Auckland weather: January 19th.

Delayed discussions see Northland stuck in red, significant damage and first death reported in Tonga and Brian Tamaki spends his first night in the cells in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald

Director General of the Ministry of Health Dr. Ashley Bloomfield spoke to Tim Dower about booster jabs and the looming Omicron variant. Video / Newstalk ZB

School children are getting their Covid-19 jabs from today while the Omicron variant continues to hover on New Zealand's doorstep. Video / NZ Herald

MetService Wellington weather: January 18th.

MetService Auckland weather: January 18th.

MetService National weather: January 17th-19th.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke the media about the booster vaccination roll-out and COVID vaccines for children before going to get her booster jab.

Daredevil wharf bike jumpers show their skills at Pukenui Wharf. Video / Supplied

Northland's best bombers compete at the Inaugural Far Far North Bomb Comp at Pukenui wharf. Video / Supplied

Brian Tamaki was arrested for breaching his bail conditions on Monday 17 January. His supporters have been protesting outside the Mt. Eden correctional facility since he arrived. Video / David Fisher / Brett Phibbs

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta spoke to Tim Dower about New Zealand's efforts to assist Tonga. Video / NewstalkZB

New Zealand ready to help Tonga, unvaxxed cops stood down and Novak Djokovic deported from Australia in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald