There are 243 new community Covid-19 cases today - the highest daily number since the beginning of the pandemic two years ago. 

Yesterday, there were 209 new Covid cases in the community. 

The record was 222 daily community cases on November 16 last year at the height of the Delta outbreak. 

The Ministry of Health is today reporting new community cases in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Lakes, Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti, Hawke's Bay, Whanganui, and Wellington. Auckland has the highest number of cases with 165. 

The MOH is also officially reporting three cases in Nelson Marlborough which were announced by the Ministry yesterday. 

There are 10 people in hospital and one person in ICU. The breakdown of cases in hospital across New Zealand is: North Shore, 2; Middlemore, 3; Auckland, 2; Rotorua, 2; Christchurch: 1. 

Two new locations of interest have been added today. They are the F45 Training gym at 348 New North Rd, Kingsland on January 26 between 12.06pm and 1.15pm and a private event at the Tarka Indian Eatery in Mission Bay on January 30 from 6.30pm to 11pm. 

Five people have become infected with the virus in Hokianga, Northland. 

Hauora Hokianga said, in a Facebook post, they were advised by officials late last night there were five new positive Covid-19 cases in the area. 

Until they had further details, the growing Omicron cases in the country was an important reminder to get vaccinated, they said. 

"Please ensure that you are extra vigilant over the long weekend and please stay away from large gatherings," they urged. 

The community health group was encouraging people who were isolating or a close contact to reach out to them if they needed assistance. 

Covid-19 modeller professor Michael Plank yesterday said although Omicron infections had so far risen slightly slower than in many other countries, case numbers were still doubling roughly every four days. 

"It is likely we'll see record cases numbers very soon, if not [today] then I think it will be within the next few days." 

Plank said it was too early to predict how New Zealand's Omicron outbreak would pan out. 

So far the average daily case numbers had doubled about every four to five days, whereas they had doubled every two to three days in some countries. 

If New Zealand can keep the doubling of infections to the lower end of that scale, it will be quite good by comparison, he said. 

"We'll also find that our red traffic light system and the measures people are taking are doing their job, which is to slow things down and spread out the load on our health systems," he said. 

Daily numbers were still far below earlier modelling tipping as many as 50,000 new cases could be emerging by Waitangi Day. 

However, as pandemic-weary Kiwis seek a more normal life involving unimpeded overseas travel and no lockdowns, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern yesterday urged against complacency. 

The threat of infection spread has triggered a warning to holidaymakers in a week which has seen Auckland once more become the nation's Covid hotspot. 

Officials warned this week that travel contributed to the spread of the infection and said it was important people going away took measures to reduce the risk of both catching and spreading the virus.