First Up for Monday 8 August 2022

5:53 AM.Last week the Auckland council removed swings from trees on an iconic street in Pt Chevalier. Not only were the swings removed without any consultation, but it turns out a far larger safety concern… Read more Audio

5:43 AM.As we near the end of the weekend's events - and indeed the Commonwealth Games - New Zealand has racked up a raft of gold medals in swimming and cycling, and gained status on the world stage in sports… Read more Audio

5:35 AM.On Saturday, the Freedoms & Rights Coalition again blocked off main streets through Auckland, to protest everything from vaccination mandates to the cost of living. Standing at the front of the march… Read more Audio

5:30 AM.It's the second to last day of competition at the Commonwealth Games - and cyclist Aaron Gate has scored his fourth gold. With Nick Truebridge from Birmingham is RNZ's Felicity Reid. Audio

5:23 AM.Joining Nick Truebridge now from a freezing cold Taupo is our Minister of Fruit and Veges, Glenn Forsyth. Audio

5:12 AM.The war in Ukraine has been going on for nearly six months. There have been at least 10 thousand deaths so far, although experts say the actual toll is likely to be a lot more. The invasion has also… Read more Audio

5:05 AM.We begin this morning in the USA, where President Joe Biden is back at work after a rebound case of Covid-19. Joining Nick Truebridge from New York City is our well-rested correspondent Anna… Read more Audio