The tiger may be the "king of beasts" in the Chinese Zodiac, but it is looking like the Year of the Tiger will be ushered in with a whimper rather than a roar - all thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Major events celebrating the Lunar New Year have been cancelled, including the annual Chinese New Year Market Day where the Prime Minister traditionally launches the festivities.

Organisers of the Auckland Lantern Festival, the only major public event still to run, are keeping their fingers crossed that Omicron won't come to spoil the party.

The Lunar New Year - the Year of the Water Tiger - falls on February 1 this year, and will be observed by those celebrating for 15 days.

Families celebrating the festival will be keeping celebrations either at home or at restaurants, feasting on food they believe will bring in good fortune and dispel bad luck.

The Tiger is a symbol of strength and bravery, and ranks third among the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.

Famous Tiger people include former prime minister Helen Clark, Marilyn Monroe, Tom Cruise, Richard Branson, Lady Gaga and David Attenborough.