First Up for Wednesday 8 November 2023

5:53 AM.It's long been described as "the race that stops a nation", but is the Melbourne Cup as popular as it once was? Whilst it's been criticised for exploiting horses and their jockeys, it's also the TAB's… Read more Audio

5:47 AM.If you're a horror movie fan then Auckland's Silo Theatre has got the show for you with a twist. George Romero's 1968 cult classic Night of the Living Dead will be performed live with actors providing… Read more Audio

5:39 AM.Faith Vui dreams of becoming the first Samoan to play on the LPGA Tour and the 18-year-old took a step towards that by writing her name into New Zealand golfing history on the weekend. Vui became the… Read more Audio

5:26 AM.This week on TradeMe - a classic Ford Mustang, stripes and all .. and a palatial Waiheke property complete with infinity pool. But we can't forget it's Movember and you have a chance to name… Read more Audio

5:18 AM.To Africa now - our correspondent in Ghana is Nabil Ahmed Rufai. Audio

5:13 AM.To the Middle East now where Israel's war against Hamas is intensifying. Joining First Up from Doha is our correspondent Alex Baird. Audio

5:06 AM.As we do every Wednesday, our first stop is Australia, joining the programme from Brisbane is Pam Corkery. Audio