First Up for Friday 29 July 2022

5:53 AM.The opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games is about to begin in Birmingham. The 11-day long event consists of 19 sports, 72 nations and territories, 280 medal events, and more than 5,000 athletes… Read more Audio

5:49 AM.If you think you've been hearing more beautiful birdsong in the Capital you're ears aren't lying. Latest figures show native birds have increased by 51 per cent on Wellington's Miramar Peninsula. This… Read more Audio

5:44 AM.We like stories about good things happening in the community at First Up. This morning we're shining the light on an initiative providing optometry to those who may not have access. Vision Bus… Read more Audio

5:30 AM.Tradies say the theft of their tools and equipment is happening far more often than it used to and the thieves are getting pretty sophisticated. Nathan Rarere spoke with the New Zealand Certified… Read more Audio

5:21 AM.Joining Nathan Rarere from the fresh produce markets is our Minister of Fruit and Veges Glenn Forsyth. Fruit of the Week: NZ Navel Oranges Audio

5:13 AM.In Africa the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has held an auction for rights to drill for oil in rainforest land in the past few hours. Joining Nathan Rarere from from Ghana is our… Read more Audio

5:08 AM.Staying the United States where monkey pox numbers have hit more than 1000 daily cases. For more on this Nathan Rarere is joined by our man in New York, Bevan Hurley. Audio