First Up Podcast Options

5:06 AM.We begin this morning in the Pacific Islands, where Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has missed the visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinkin. For more on that story, Nathan Rarere joined… Read more Audio

5:52 AM.A state of emergency was declared in the Buller District yesterday, and Westport was completely cut off by road. It comes less than a week after the last state of emergency was lifted, following… Read more Audio

5:48 AM.Hospitality businesses around Auckland are struggling, as the looming surge in Omicron cases cause people to stay home. And now well-known Auckland restaurateur Krishna Botica has been forced to close… Read more Audio

5:45 AM.Anti-mandate protesters are still camped out near parliament after a day of police attempts to remove them. Joining Nathan Rarere from down at the Parliamentary precinct is our reporter Kirsty Frame.

5:32 AM.A historic week for New Zealand in Beijing with Zoi Sadowski-Synnott grabbing our first ever Winter Olympic gold medal. And according to Kiwi sports broadcaster Ash Tulloch who is in Beijing for the… Read more Audio

5:24 AM.Off to market we go - the fresh produce markets with our Minister of Fruit and Veges, Glenn Forsyth - Fruit of the Week - Flatto White Peaches. Audio

5:16 AM.The New Zealand government is being urged to prioritise sending more vaccines to Pacific nations to stem the spread of Omicron. There are now 65 cases in Tonga and more than 2000 positive infections… Read more Audio

5:11 AM.To Africa we head, where overnight, the Prime Minister of Libya has survived an assassination attempt.. Joining Nathan Rarere for more on this and the other big stories of the week from Africa is our… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.Our first stop this morning is New York where Bevan Hurley has been scurrying around the city hunting down stories. Audio

5:48 AM.Sport is paying the price of the Omicron outbreak before the wave has even hit. Yesterday the Black Caps' T20 series against Australia was cancelled because they couldn't get MIQ spots - the latest in… Read more Audio

5:48 AM.Hospitality businesses around the motu are trying new things, to keep themselves afloat amidst Covid-19 restrictions. After opening their doors last year, Italian and French inspired restaurant Va… Read more Audio

5:32 AM.As anti-vaccine mandate protesters descended on Parliament this week we came across a press release headlined "Pseudo-Profound BS". It described a major international study that's just been published… Read more Audio

5:25 AM.We spun the Local Democracy Reporters wheel this week and it landed on Northland, where it's all go in the Mayoral race. There is one hot topic in Council elections already, and LDR Northland's Susan… Read more Audio

5:16 AM.There are now 34 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Tonga, just as the Kingdom rebuilds after last month's eruption and tsunami. Key to the aid effort has been the massive response from communities in New… Read more Audio

5:12 AM.Tensions are still high over Ukraine, with Russia continuing to build up a military force on the border - while President Putin is still assuring leaders that he has no plans to invade. Joining Nathan… Read more Audio

5:53 AM.It would be an understatement to say that these past few months have been tough for the hospitality industry. The latest Covid restrictions mean many are reporting greater than 50 per cent reductions… Read more Audio

5:45 AM.If you're finding yourself clammy, sweaty and breathing heavily into your face mask when you're out and about at the moment, you're not alone. Northern parts of New Zealand have already had more than… Read more Audio

5:35 AM.The country's first COSTCO is getting closer to opening, with the massive building nearing completion at Westgate in Auckland. The company intends opening at the site before the middle of the year… Read more Audio

5:26 AM.This week on TradeMe - there isn't a kidney shaped Kumara, or some Brain shaped Bread - BUT there is a perfect, heart-shaped potato There's also an original Dick Frizzell painting to gaze upon But… Read more Audio

5:12 AM.We're off the Middle-East now - Nathan Rarere is joined from Doha by our correspondent Alex Baird. Audio

5:48 AM.Well it's back to Parliament for the country's MPs today for what - we think it's safe to assume - will be the start of one hell of a year in politics. They'll be greeted this morning by anti mask and… Read more Audio