Matthew Theunissen

A little later today the government will deliver its 2022 Budget, which will include 6 billion dollars of new spending. There have also been major funding announcements about mental health and… Audio

The Mayor of Christchurch says residents living near the fire-damaged wastewater treatment plant in Bromley should receive financial assistance due to the constant stench they have to endure. Work to… Audio

We're just a week out from Budget Day so First Up sent producer Matthew Theunissen to the Auckland suburb of Panmure to hear what people are most concerned about ahead of the budget. Audio

An Auckland shop owner whose store was ram raided early Monday morning says it's the second time in as many months that he's been targetted by thieves. Vinod Ranchhod says he's barely slept since… Audio

The Department of Conservation is on high alert after a dead possum was found on largely predator-free Great Barrier Island. The possum was found by a local resident on the road at Whangaparapara… Audio

It was back to school for students around the country yesterday, the first time they had class under the orange Covid traffic light setting. At orange, masks are encouraged but not mandatory indoors… Audio

A West Coast shop owner found a flood of water when she arrived at work yesterday and now faces a very big cleanup. Sue Roper, who owns the Pink Possum Quilt Shop on the state highway between between… Audio

Yesterday, Australian tourists were welcomed into the country for the first time in over two years ... barring those who came during the short-lived trans-Tasman bubble. And, while the rest of the… Audio

New Zealand's borders are now open to fully vaccinated Australian visitors in what is hoped will be the start of a recovery for the country's tourism sector. In a moment we'll hear from Auckland… Audio

An infectious diseases expert across the Tasman says Australia's Covid rules are unclear as it faces a new wave of Omicron. Most Covid restrictions there have been lifted nationally and while some… Audio

Vaccination mandates will be removed for all but Health, Corrections and Border workers from midnight tonight and an employment law advocate says she's never been busier Today is also the last day… Audio

A month after his sudden death, Australian cricket legend Shane Warne will be farewelled in a spublic celebration at the MCG tonight in front of tens of thousands of fans. The two hour service will… Audio

A co-producer of the Oscar winning film The Power of the Dog says the crew loved working with director Dame Jane Campion.

The New Zealander won best director at the Academy Awards. The movie has also… Audio

New Zealand's Dame Jane Campion won the award for best director at yesterday's Academy Awards for her film the Power of the Dog. The film, which was shot here, was nominated for 12 Oscars at… Audio

Auckland mayoral candidate Leo Molloy released what he calls "Auckland's comeback plan" at his first supporters' event in the city last night. The hospitality businessman is vying for the city's top… Audio

Vaccine passes are to be scrapped, Covid QR codes torn up, outdoor gathering limits lifted and most mandates assigned to the history books because, the prime minister says, it's now safe to do so. But… Audio

The body of a fifth person has been recovered following last weekend's North Cape boating tragedy. Ten people were on board the 17-metre fishing vessel Encharter when it's believed to have been struck… Audio

And we return to our lead story now that the cost of fuel was reduced by 25 cents a litre overnight as the government acts to counter soaring petrol prices arising from Russia's invasion of Ukraine… Audio