First Up for Tuesday 18 May 2021

5:54 AM.If you've just woken up, the first quarantine free flight from New Zealand to the Cook islands leaves today. It has been over a year since we've been able to visit. Up early and ready to jump on that… Read more Audio

5:47 AM.Thursday's budget is being promoted as a Covid-recovery budget. Inside the lock-up for the first time will be National's Deputy Leader Dr Shane Reti. With a key interest in health, Nathan Rarere asked… Read more Audio

5:44 AM.Solo mums on the benefit say it's tough to make ends meet each week - and more money to lift benefits in this week's budget would be a huge relief. The government has promised to overhaul the welfare… Read more Audio

5:35 AM.The first quarantine free flight to the Cook Islands will leave just before 9am this morning. It will be the first time in almost 14 months that Rarotonga has welcomed tourists. Air New Zealand's… Read more Audio

5:32 AM.Samoa's Supreme Court has thrown out the Head of State's decision to call for a second election to break the political deadlock from April's election Yesterday, the court found that he had no… Read more Audio

5:22 AM.This week on TradeMe's interesting auction list...yet another hand drawn and autographed picture by our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and a small plant with a HUGE price tag. But first, producer… Read more Audio

5:13 AM.To Taiwan now where the government has imposed its toughest restrictions so far, as it tries to battle a sudden rise in Covid-19 cases. The self-governing island of about 24 million people off China's… Read more Audio

5:08 AM.To the UK now with our correspondent Alex Cadier where they're slowing reopening. Audio