First Up Podcast Options

5:22 AM.When you think collectible cars, names such as Mustang, Lamborghini and Ferarri are mentioned. But very rarely Subaru.. This week on TradeMe, an Imprezza, with a price tag that suggests it's anything… Read more Audio

5:14 AM.The fallout continues for music streaming service Spotify after rock 'n' roll great Neil Young ordered it to remove his music from the platform, unless it stops streaming Joe Rogan's podcast. Fellow… Read more Audio

5:11 AM.A month or so ago in Japan, Covid seemed to be all but under control. The Omicron variant has meant that's now pretty far from the case, as Nathan Rarere found out from our Tokyo correspondent Chris… Read more Audio

5:55 AM.We head to Dunedin where we're joined by Heidi Hayward who's principal of Dunedin North Intermediate, which welcomes children back tomorrow. Audio

5:51 AM.There were 103 new community cases of Covid reported in New Zealand yesterday - the second time in three days we've hit triple figures as the country braces for Omicron. It comes as schools around the… Read more Audio

5:46 AM.Pregnant New Zealand journalist Charlotte Bellis is having to take the word of the Taliban that she will be safe in Afghanistan after being denied a spot in MIQ. Bellis says she and her photographer… Read more Audio

5:37 AM.In Tonga, people are continuing to clean up the blanket of ash that's covering much of the nation after the eruption and tsunami a little over two weeks ago. Simana Kami is manager of the Oholei Beach… Read more Audio

5:25 AM.It's a public holiday for the northern half of the North Island today - but it's never a day off for fresh produce, with Nathan Rarere is our Minister of Fruit and Veggies Glenn Forsyth. Audio

5:16 AM.Recreational anglers had a bit of a slow start to the summer this year, but those around Auckland's fishing spots might get a few more bites towards the back-end of the season. Keith Ingram from the… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.Let's head Stateside, where the East Coast is covered in a thick layer of snow. From New York, Nathan Rarere is joined by our correspondent Bevan Hurley. Audio

5:51 AM.A teenager who tested positive for Covid-19 after attending the Soundsplash festival says with all the physical contact revellers had at the 3-day festival, it seems inevitable that the virus spread… Read more Audio

5:47 AM.Under the Red Alert level setting many events have had to be postponed, cancelled or changed to accomodate new rules and restrictions, One of those is the world famous Coast to Coast. It's happening… Read more Audio

5:43 AM.The best young chefs from around the world are set to compete at the annual Young Chef Olympiad - which this year is being held on-line. Aotearoa is being represented by Sian Davies who is about to… Read more Audio

5:34 AM.It's semi-finals day in the men's draw at the Australian Open, after the woman's semis yesterday. Nathan Rarere was joined by tennis commentator Dave Worsley. Audio

5:21 AM.It's the end of January already, and time to talk with our Minister of Fruit and Veggie, Glenn Forsyth. Audio

5:10 AM.To Africa now where the ousted President of Burkina Faso is being held under house arrest by the military, after the military coup which has been condemned by the international community. Nathan… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.We begin this morning in the United States, where eyes are on Russia as tensions over Ukraine continue to heat up.. Nathan Rarere found out more from our correspondent in Washington, Simon Marks. Audio

5:49 AM.The government is under fire over allegations it "comandeered" rapid antigen tests from private companies. The government plans to increase the number of tests available to the public ahead of an… Read more Audio

5:42 AM.With schools going back next week, uniforms shops around the country are full of ashen-faced parents watching their bank balances dwindle after they hit "enter" on the Eftpos machine. And a children's… Read more Audio

5:24 AM.Every Thursday we're delighted to be able to zoom across the country and talk to one of the reporters from the Local Democracy Reporting Programme. This morning we're in South Auckland with Local… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.We begin this morning in the United Kingdom, where the party-gate report is due to be released. Ellie Jay spoke to our London correspondent, Henry Riley. Audio

5:52 AM.Later today we'll find out a bit more about what the next phases of New Zealand's Omicron strategy will look like, It follows yesterday's news that 14.5 million Rapid Antigen Tests will arrive in the… Read more Audio