First Up Podcast Options

5:16 AM.Tea with Terrorists is a performance that promises to take audiences us on a life straddling two cultures. Written and performed by Sameena Zehra, the play examines the nature of conflict and the need… Read more Audio

5:12 AM.To Africa we go - from where Nathan Rarere was joined for his weekly round-up of news by our correspondent in Ghana, Nabil Ahmed. Audio

5:06 AM.We begin this morning in the USA - with a couple of breaking stories - the first is US Basketball star Brittney Griner who was arrested and detained in Russia earlier this year on drugs charges, has… Read more Audio

5:48 AM.As you know, here at First Up we spare no expense to bring you the finest coverage of events not only in Aotearoa but around the world. So we've hired one Grant Robertson to be our correspondent from… Read more Audio

5:44 AM.Forget about Paris, it's Dannevirke's turn to host the CANS film festival. It's not the French film festival with the A-Listers and red carpets, Dannevirke's version is all about actual tin cans. The… Read more Audio

5:34 AM.We're into the late stages of day 6 at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham - and it's been yet another golden day for New Zealand.. Representing RNZ in the reporting events is Felicity Reid and she… Read more Audio

5:23 AM.Time to check in with the Local Democracy Reporting team now and this morning we join David Hill in North Canterbury where things are growing at a rate of knots. Audio

5:15 AM.Entire New Zealand communities could have to move to higher ground due to climate change. That was a takeaway from a major government report released by Climate Change Minister James Shaw yesterday… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.We begin this morning in the UK, where the contest for the leadership of the Conservative party drags on...joining Nathan Rarere from London is our correspondent Henry Riley. Audio

5:52 AM.The Commonwealth Games have been a huge success so far for New Zealand's swimmers, with Lewis Clareburt becoming our first male Kiwi swimmer to win two golds at a games. Backstroker Andrew Jeffcoat… Read more Audio

5:45 AM.Mohamed Hassan is an award winning former RNZ journalist, poet and author who says international travel is still a logistical nightmare for millions of Muslims, who like him, have to prepare in… Read more Audio

5:25 AM.What's the sexiest fruit in the world? A tempting tomato, a proud banana? Kumquat A contender for that title is up for grabs on TradeMe this week.. Producer Jeremy Parkinson talked with Ruby Topzand… Read more Audio

5:16 AM.To the Middle East now where Governments have been reacting to the killing of Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri by a US drone in Kabul. Al-Zawahiri had been living in an apartment in the Afghan… Read more Audio

5:10 AM.Staying in Australia, where the new Labor government is proposing enshrining an "indigenous voice" in parliament - and a Commonwealth Games love-triangle that isn't - is leading the news. With Nathan… Read more Audio

5:52 AM.The government will be working with the television show Shortland Street to set up an international recruitment service as part of efforts to shore up health workforce shortages. Minister of Health… Read more Audio

5:48 AM.Back to the Commonwealth Games we go. 18 year old swimmer Cameron Gray shocked many, including himself, when he won the bronze medal in the 50 metre butterfly on Sunday morning in Birmingham Coming… Read more Audio

5:36 AM.We get to hear from the deputy leader of both major parties every week and this morning it's the turn of National's Nicola Willis. We discussed the government's cost of living payments going to people… Read more Audio

5:32 AM.And speaking of gold - Nathan Rarere was joined now from Birmingham buy our Commonwealth Games reporter Felicity Reid. Audio

5:22 AM.Local Democracy Reporting programme time now and this morning we're in South Auckland with the marvellous Stephen Forbes. He's been reporting on a former government minister whose name you may recall… Read more Audio

5:12 AM.To Japan now where ... monkeys are on the loose! Yes there have been a spate of monkey attacks in the city of Yamaguchi which have residents on edge. But first our correspondent Chris Gilbert… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.To the UK now, where they're still basking in the glow of their first major football championship in almost 60 years. Our correspondent Ellie Jay is with us.. Audio

5:51 AM.New Zealand's largest primary school has removed dozens of students from its school roll, blaming the pandemic for disappearing students. Teachers at Finlayson Park School say they are at breaking… Read more Audio

5:45 AM.For the first time since restrictions were placed on travellers from mainland China way back in February 2020, New Zealand's borders are now fully open to the world. Yes since midnight both our air… Read more Audio

5:30 AM.The Commonwealth Games has been a successful one so far for New Zealand's elite athletes - our reporter on the ground in Birmingham is Felicity Reid who updated Nathan Rarere. Audio

5:20 AM.It's the first of August - so no better time to update you all on the fresh fruit and vegatable recomendations for the month from the team 5+ A Day with our Minister of Fruit and Veggies, Glenn… Read more Audio