First Up Podcast Options

5:34 AM.Primary and intermediate school principals have accused the Ministry of Education of a lack of leadership in tackling New Zealand children's declining performance, It's in response to a 'Trends in… Read more Audio

5:26 AM.After many new brides told Baillie Buchanan they wished they'd eloped, the Hamilton makeup artist "put her thinking cap on" and came up with a business idea - a 'bespoke elopement' service. Read more Audio

5:20 AM.Goat Island locals have been left outraged and bewildered that a group of anglers cast off from the marine reserve's beach and caught one of its large resident snapper. Despite signs everywhere saying… Read more Audio

5:13 AM.It's been confirmed that eight thousand tonnes of toxic waste will finally be removed from Mataura's disused papermill by the end of April. The ouvea premix releases deadly ammonia gas when it's wet… Read more Audio

5:08 AM.Nathan Rarere speaks with our Australia commentator, former MP and saviour of Auckland's ports Pam Corkery about fires in Perth while they're in lockdown, TV game show hosts are up to no good and talk… Read more Audio

5:53 AM.The government is to introduce legislation to uphold council decisions to establish Maori wards. Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta made the announcement yesterday afternoon - appropriately… Read more Audio

5:48 AM.The Cancer Control Agency, Te Aho o Te Kahu, has released its first report on the state of cancer in New Zealand, which found that Maori still suffer disproportionately from the disease. It says if we… Read more Audio

5:43 AM.More than 5000 people have been detained in Russia as a wave of anti-government, anti-Vladimir Putin protests sweep across the country. The protests are in support of opposition figure Alexei Navalny… Read more Audio

5:34 AM.We've heard about a trans-tasman bubble but what about a cruise ship bubble? The union representing ships' captains and officers has come up with the idea and wants to see it go ahead this year. It… Read more Audio

5:30 AM.2020 saw more people than ever before adopting former racing greyhounds. And for one rescue organisation it was a record breaking year. But as Ella Stewart reports, greyhounds aren't the easiest of… Read more Audio

5:21 AM.This week on TradeMe a classic American 4X4 - a legendary Ford Bronco in black - not white - so you won't be mistaken for OJ Simpson.. which has to be a good thing.. But first on the auction block is… Read more Audio

5:14 AM.Renowned New Zealand artist Bill Hammond, whose strange, dream-like birds became one the the most recognisable images in New Zealand art, has died aged 73. The Lyttelton-based artist was considered… Read more Audio

5:08 AM.Captain Sir Tom Moore the 100 year old British man who raised millions of pounds for the NHS by walking laps of his garden has now tested positive for covid-19, His daughter Hannah confirmed the news… Read more Audio

5:48 AM.As the world grapples with the worst health crisis in a century, a secondary pandemic is starting to take hold, one which could be with us for months if not years after Covid-19 has been erradicated… Read more Audio

5:42 AM.Our next guest is cementing herself as an important voice in Aotearoa's film and cultural landscape. As programme manager of the Maoriland Film Festival, Madeleine de Young has been helping rangatahi… Read more Audio

5:31 AM.The Climate Change Commission says New Zealand is not contributing enough to world-wide efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. The Government has committed to… Read more Audio

5:20 AM.Our Minister of Fruit and Veges Glenn Forsyth on where are the coconuts and pomegranates? Audio

5:11 AM.We're delighted to be joined for the first time by our new correspondent in Sweden, former RNZ International reporter Anita Purcell-Sjölund. Audio

5:52 AM.People offer and hunt for all kinds of things on the Auckland Family Free Cycle Facebook page, but one mum is on the hunt for something very specific for her five-year-old son. Ellie Jay meets James… Read more Video, Audio

5:47 AM.Our managed isolation hotels have come under scrutiny this week following revelations a Northland woman and two other guests tested positive for Covid-19 after leaving Auckland's Pullman Hotel. The… Read more Video, Audio

5:43 AM.One of our new weekly segments on First Up this year is looking at wildlife and animals. The Lonely Miaow is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the rescue and care of stray and abandoned cats and… Read more Audio

5:32 AM."What the World Needs Now" is "The Look of Love" - and that's what entertainer Ali Harper has brought to Wellington audiences at Circa Theatre. Ali's extensive Musical Theatre and Cabaret background… Read more Audio

5:23 AM.Joining us now for the weekend market report is our Minister of Fruit and Veges Glenn Forsyth - looking at what are the best salad ingredients and garlic. Audio

5:14 AM.Ahhh the sounds of a Kiwi summer. But we've noticed that the annual chorus of the cicadas has been missing this year. Our reporter Ella Stewart asked entomologist Thomas Buckley why the cicadas seem… Read more Audio

5:07 AM.Joining Nathan Rarere from Doha, is our man in the Middle East, Kamahl Santamaria who talks about quarantining after a trip to the US and Israel's warning to the new US President about re-engaging… Read more Audio