Top Stories

Middlemore Hospital staff confident it will cope with Omicron

Middlemore Hospital’s chief medical officer says a surge in Omicron cases is expected in about four to six weeks.

New Zealand6:27am

Expert calls for free N95 masks as retailers sell out

6:35am

Tongan eruption: Mango residents face year away from home

5:51am

Additional case, second household in Nelson Covid outbreak

7:43am

Auckland hotel a close contact Omicron location of interest

3:45am

Australian man admits abducting four-year-old Cleo Smith

7:54am

Nico Porteous wins X Games gold with 'miracle' final run

4:38am

New Zealand

Two ‘critical’ after exposure to fumes while cleaning Kumeu tank

It appears one person was cleaning the tank and the others may have gone to their assistance when they were exposed to carbon monoxide fumes.

Auckland •8:32am

Manurewa Marae gets South Auckland boosted for Omicron

Covid 19 •8:09am

Pasifika make up half of Auckland's 2021 sudden infant deaths

Health •8:00am

Auckland restaurant, Nelson airport added to Omicron locations

Nelson •6:00am

Countdown staff preparing for 'brutal' Omicron period

Business •5:40am

World

No foul play in death of Irishman used in pension attempt

The man's body was used in an attempt to collect his pension from an Irish post shop.

Crime And Justice •3:09am

Interference claims as Scott Morrison's WeChat taken over

Australia •2:40am

Taliban begin talks in Norway as hunger stalks Afghanistan

UK And Europe •11:20pm

Aus pair arrested over plot to steal 1400 rapid antigen tests

Australia •11:19pm

Camera crew attacked by anti-vaccine protesters in Brussels

Covid 19 •10:56pm

Sport

Kiwi mixed doubles pair shock No.4 seeds in Australian Open

Not only did the unseeded Kiwis win, but they did so in straight sets, claiming a 6-3, 7-5 victory.

Australia •7:36am

Outfield player to play as goalie for Comoros at African Cup

5:48am

Venus 'ready for anything' in Aussie Open clash with Kyrgios

3:53am

Chiefs pull off insane NFL comeback to beat Bills in overtime

3:31am

Josh Curran stepping up after 'pulling head in' at Warriors

Warriors •3:27am

Covid 19

Manurewa Marae gets South Auckland boosted for Omicron

“Get boosted” was the recurring message from staff and locals at Manurewa marae’s mass vaccination event on Sunday.

Covid 19 •8:09am

Auckland restaurant, Nelson airport added to Omicron locations

Nelson •6:00am

Countdown staff preparing for 'brutal' Omicron period

Business •5:40am

'Race' is on to boost more Kiwis before they catch Omicron

Covid 19 •5:26am

Auckland rest home staff, residents, awaiting Covid results

Covid 19 •3:10am

Politics

Government not prepared for Omicron - Luxon

Epidemiologist Michael Baker also says we are now in a "huge race" to get boosted before the virus takes hold.

Covid 19 •Sun, Jan 23

US, Russia to try more diplomacy amid tensions over Ukraine

North America •Sat, Jan 22

Elon Musk answers Shane Reti’s plea for help with Tonga comms

Technology •Fri, Jan 21

New Zealand gives extra $2M to Tonga’s recovery

Pacific Islands •Fri, Jan 21

PM Sovaleni sends message to Tongan community in Ardern call

Pacific Islands •Fri, Jan 21

Entertainment

Iconic fashion designer Thierry Mugler dies aged 73

Mugler's dramatic designs were worn by celebrities like Madonna, Lady Gaga and Cardi B.

7:00am

Arnold Schwarzenegger 'fine' after four-vehicle LA crash

North America •Sun, Jan 23

Review: Licorice Pizza sizzles at Auckland film festival

Arts And Culture •Sat, Jan 22

Cher, Stephen Fry, Andrew Lloyd Webber pay tribute to Meat Loaf

North America •Fri, Jan 21

Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas welcome first child via surrogate

Music •Fri, Jan 21

Business

Countdown staff preparing for 'brutal' Omicron period

Stores had been busy - as expected - but Kiri Hannifin asked customers to avoid panic buying.

Business •5:40am

Golden Bay cafe becomes 'private club' to avoid vax passes

Covid 19 •Fri, Jan 21

DHB Covid upgrades underway, but building supply woes remain

Coronavirus Pandemic •Fri, Jan 21

Auckland woman's three-month battle for wine rack delivery

Business •Thu, Jan 20

Medicinal cannabis costs in NZ could drop after new deal

Health •Wed, Jan 19

Environment

Filtration system could hold answer to clean waterways

A Christchurch scientist has developed a system that removes contaminants from rivers, lakes and streams.

Environment •Wed, Jan 19

Tongan eruption's sulphur dioxide could lead to cooler winter

Environment •Tue, Jan 18

Elephants dying from eating plastic waste in Sri Lankan dump

Animals •Fri, Jan 14

Earth hits sixth warmest year on record in 2021

Climate Change •Thu, Jan 13

Iwi-led group begins Raukūmara Ranges regeneration

Maori Issues •Wed, Jan 12