First Up Podcast Options

5:22 AM.To the weekend fresh produce markets, Nathan Rarere was joined by our Minister of Fruit and Vege Glenn Forsyth. Audio

5:15 AM.A few mornings back, I asked you all what was your favourite comfort food. The consumption of comfort foods has increased incredibly over this latest national lockdown. That's not official, that's… Read more Audio

5:10 AM.A couple of weeks back, First Up brought you the story of Geronimo, the New Zealand alpaca in the UK who was to be put down for having Bovine Tuberculosis. Geronimo's owner Helen Macdonald imported… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.We begin this morning in the United States where the remnants of Hurricane Ida have pounded the country's north east states. In New York City flash flooding, on a scale not seen since 1863, has closed… Read more Audio

5:50 AM.Nathan Rarere asked Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson whether the country has enough money down the back of the couch for an additional wage subsidy for struggling businesses. Audio

5:45 AM.Some Auckland businesses believe this lockdown could be the straw that breaks the camel's back and they may have no choice but to close down. This is despite the wage subsidy, resurgence payment… Read more Audio

5:34 AM.Residents of rest homes and retirement villages around New Zealand are facing an even longer time isolated from loved ones than most. Staff have been putting in extra hours to keep them connected with… Read more Audio

5:30 AM.Nathan Rarere talks with James Parr from the Open Space Agency in London about cracks in the International Space Station and buying shares in Peter Beck's RocketLab. Audio

5:21 AM.It's that time of the week where we take a look around the country and talk to one of our Local Democracy reporters. This week we're heading off to Marlborough and we're joined by Chloe Ranford. Audio

5:13 AM.In New Zealand, the poaching of young talent by elite schools to play for their rugby teams is a controversial matter that's been going on for decades. In the United States though, hopeful players'… Read more Audio

5:10 AM.Netballer Geva Mentor is looking forward to her England Roses side's international series against New Zealand, and she's taken the long route to get here. The Ferns are hosting England in a three-Test… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.We start this morning with news from Europe and Nathan Rarere was joined from Sweden by our correspondent Anita Purcell Sjölund. Audio

5:54 AM.And joining Nathan Rarere to give us his expert analysis of the economic impacts of the alert levels change is Infometrics economist Brad Olsen. Audio

5:50 AM.Well from Hokitika to Invercargill... Judy McNeilly is the owner of two establishments in Invercargill - 'The Auction House Cafe and Bar' and the 'Toasted' Coffee shop. Judy, you're in the 'Toasted'… Read more Audio

5:47 AM.Earlier in the program we checked in on the Level 3 opening plans at Dunedin's Side-on Cafe, we're off to Hokitika now to speak with Darren Campbell, owner of the excellent Clocktower Cafe. Audio

5:43 AM.As of midnight last night, everyone south of Auckland has moved to alert level three. But what are the differences between level three and four? Our report Ella Stewart asked microbiologist Siouxsie… Read more Video, Audio

5:33 AM.Many West Auckland residents are currently facing the double-whammy of dealing with an Alert Level 4 lockdown and homes that were badly damaged by yesterday's floods. So how do people go about making… Read more Audio

5:24 AM.Well its an exciting morning for those who got sick to death of cooking every single meal over Level 4, with all of New Zealand that isn't called Auckland or Northland moving to Level 3 And while… Read more Audio

5:15 AM.President Joe Biden is preparing to address the people of the United States within the next hour, a day after the very last American serviceman boarded a plane out of Kabul. The US invaded Afghanistan… Read more Audio

5:10 AM.To Afghanistan now where the Taliban are celebrating victory in the wake of the last American soldiers leaving the country after an occupation lasting almost 20 years. On the ground in Kabul is al… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.First Up this morning we head to the land girt by Sea where Nathan Rarere is joined by correspondent in Brisbane, Pam Corkery. Audio

5:51 AM.Nathan Rarere asked deputy leader of the National Party Shane Reti whether Education Minister Chris Hipkins should move the school holidays so students don't spend any longer than necessary at home. Audio

5:45 AM.With Auckland to stay in a Level 4 lockdown for at least two more weeks, the prospect of children remaining out of school for two whole months appears increasingly likely. To explain ... if after a… Read more Audio

5:37 AM.Locked-down Kiwis have rallied to answer a call for clothes and shoes for Afghan evacuees. Dozens of Afghan nationals escaping the Taliban have either arrived in the counrty or are due to in the… Read more Audio

5:32 AM.To the southern United States now where former Hurricane Ida has cut a violent swathe across large parts of Louisiana.. Nathan Rarere is joined by our correspondent in the US, Ira Spitzer. Audio