First Up Podcast Options

5:31 AM.Every week we're joined by one of the journalists from the Local Democracy Reporting Programme and this morning we're in the Wairarapa with LDR reporter Marcus Anselm. He explained to Nathan Rarere… Read more Audio

5:23 AM.It's that time of the week when we turn our attention to small New Zealand businesses doing interesting things and this week we'll hear from Elena Milne. Elena knits beautiful scarfs, hats and baby… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.We begin in Europe this morning - joining Nathan Rarere from Sweden is our correspondent Anita Purcell Sjölund talking about fires in Greece. Audio

5:53 AM.No significant reopening of New Zealand's border will happen until early next year, and not before our vaccine programme has been rolled out. We remain in danger of a Covid-19 outbreak similar to New… Read more Audio

5:44 AM.After the Women's Sevens win over Russia in Olympic pool play, an impromptu BBC interview with Ruby Tui won her legions of fans around the world. The Black Ferns star's candid answers and relentless… Read more Audio

5:35 AM.New findings show that rates of depression and anxiety amongst youth has doubled during the pandemic. Researchers looked at 29 studies of more than 80-thousand youth globally, and concluded that young… Read more Audio

5:31 AM.Yesterday it was Franklin the orphaned donkey foal who defied death.. today it's Geronimo the alpaca .. but his story may not have such a happy ending. You see the UK government want to kill him. It… Read more Audio

5:22 AM.New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced his resignation in the face of growing concerns about his treatement of women. Joining Nathan Rarere from Washington DC is our correspondent Simon Marks. Audio

5:14 AM.The UN's climate change body has released a new report into the stark reality of what's in store for the planet as climate change progresses and the temperatures warm. The landmark study warns of… Read more Audio

5:11 AM.Pets at risk of being hurt because of family violence now have their first dedicated shelter. The purpose-built Pet Refuge is able take up to 75 animals at a time, keeping them safe until they can be… Read more Audio

5:05 AM.But we begin today in Australia, where former Black Cap Chris Cairns is on life-support in a Canberra hospital - Nathan Rarere spoke with our Australian correspondent Pam Corkery. Audio

5:53 AM.It's been almost three weeks since we farewelled stranded baby orca Toa, who died before he could be reunited with his mother. And while animal charity HUHA was helping to design the teat used to feed… Read more Audio

5:45 AM.National's deputy leader Dr Shane Reti says he's gobsmacked that our port workers still have such low rates of vaccination to protect against Covid-19. Dr Reti's comments come as 11 of the 21 crew of… Read more Audio

5:33 AM.Researchers have the effects of 'Long Covid' in their sights, AND the impact that the vaccine has on it. University of Auckland researchers want funding to look into the issue.. as the Pfizer rollout… Read more Audio

5:25 AM.Today on TradeMe's interesting auctions - a spooky Auckland business is up for sale, and an incredibly named car from 1933. But first producer Jeremy Parkinson talks with TradeMe's Ruby Topzand about… Read more Audio

5:17 AM.With the Tokyo Olympic Games over and largely considered a huge success in the circumstances, the Japanese people continue to face a Covid-19 crisis that shows little sign of abating. Nathan Rarere… Read more Audio

5:09 AM.The UN has release a massive report on global climate change. The report warns of increasingly extreme heatwaves, droughts and flooding. But scientists say a catastrophe can be avoided if the world… Read more Audio

5:48 AM.Five teenagers died in a horrific crash just outside of Timaru yesterday. The driver was the only survivor after the vehicle smashed into a power pole at the intersection of Seadown Road and Meadows… Read more Audio

5:44 AM.A look at the worrying situation in Australia now where the Delta variant of Covid-19 continues to spread through New South Wales. Victoria remains in lockdown, and while restrictions have eased in… Read more Audio

5:30 AM.Kiwi drama is returning to our screens with the second series of Head High premiering tonight. Head High is a locally made family drama series about the hopes, dreams and expectations of high school… Read more Audio

5:23 AM.Joining Nathan Rarere from the depths of a central North Island winter is our Minister of Fruit and Veg Glenn Forsyth. Audio

5:14 AM.Billy Stairmand made New Zealand history this year alongside Ella Williams as the first New Zealand surfers to take part in an Olympics, Surfing was only added as an Olympic sport for the Tokyo 2020… Read more Audio

5:51 AM.The Olympics is drawing to a close with cycling, athletics and golf ending New Zealand's medal campaign on Sunday. Over the past fortnight, friends and family of our athletes, who have been unable to… Read more Audio

5:44 AM.Just before Lisa Carrington made history on the water, over at Japan National Stadium shotputter Tom Walsh was adding a chapter to his story, winning his second Olympic medal. Walsh came away with the… Read more Audio