National

On today's First Up pod: 14 year old dog-surfing champ retires; US astronauts land safely off the coast of Florida after 9 months stuck in space; Jaffar Express hijacking suspends train services… Audio

New data shows New Zealand rents have increased 25 percent since Covid hit. Trade Me Property's customer director Gavin Lloyd spoke to Charlotte Cook. Audio

The liquidator of school lunch provider Libelle says one of the failed company's biggest problems was scaling up too fast. Deloitte liquidator David Webb spoke to Charlotte Cook. Audio

An acute shortage of radiography staff at Taranaki Base Hospital means patients are waiting months longer than they should for critical scans to diagnose cancer and other serious conditions. Taranaki… Audio

Latest research by the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research suggests 'extreme atmospheric rivers' over New Zealand may double by the end of the century, making up a much bigger… Audio

St Patrick's Day celebrations at Otago University fell to a new low on Monday, when a dead wallaby was roasted on a couch fire on Dunedin's notorious Castle St. Otago University Student Association… Audio

A Wellington community is fearing for its safety after the death of a man who was found with critical injuries on a roadside on Monday. Local resident Ryan Street spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

Foreign minister Winston Peters and American counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are meeting now in what Peters has described a "dramatically changed" American diplomatic scene. Labour leader… Audio

A report out on Wednesday from the New Zealand Initiative think tank says schools need a trade training equivalent to university entrance. The report's author Dr Michael Johnston spoke to Ingrid… Audio

Lush Waikato farms are turning into deserts as drought conditions worsen and farmers struggle to grow grass. Reporter Alexa Cook is on the road talking to those most affected. Audio

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has had to wind back expectations over the timeline for a trade deal with India after a burst of overenthusiasm overnight. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch… Audio

School lunch provider Libelle Group owes more than $14 million to nearly 250 creditors, many of those creditors are schools. Secondary Principals' Association president Vaughan Couillault spoke to… Audio

A new report from liquidator Deloitte shows that school lunch provider Libelle Group owes more than $14 million to nearly 250 creditors. Reporter Ellen O'Dwyer spoke to Corin Dann. Audio

The TAB offered a $150 million deal to the government in a bid to secure an online casino licence. Guyon Espiner has been investigating the new online casino regime and he spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio

Water storage levels in the country's hydro lakes have taken a nose-dive over the past few weeks. Meridian Energy's general manager of wholesale Chris Ewers spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio