First Up Podcast Options

5:17 AM.Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium returns to life on Saturday - with the New Zealand men's and women's rugby league sides hosting their Tongan counterparts. And for one of the new players in the Kiwis squad… Read more Audio

5:53 AM.Wairarapa MP Kieran McAnulty will this weekend undergo the longest recorded interview ever. Yes the government minister plans to be interviewed for 26 hours non-stop and beat the Guiness World Record… Read more Audio

5:45 AM.Auckland GPs say they're getting burnt out as they pick up extra patients who've been unable to be seen at emergency departments Twenty-seven clinics opened for free appointments in east and south… Read more Audio

5:35 AM.As an increasing number of Kiwis say no to booze, alcohol-free alternatives to beer, wine and spirits are gaining popularity. Now the New Zealand company AF Drinks has opened the country's first… Read more Video, Audio

5:25 AM.This week on TradeMe - if the Kardashians lived in Christchurch, they would be well interested in today's property listing. But it's electric vehicles that are leading the pack this week with… Read more Audio

5:15 AM.To the Middle East now, where Israel is facing its fifth general election in less than four years after the collapse of the coalition government. Joining Nathan Rarere from Doha is our correspondent… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.We begin this morning in Australia where there are calls for new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to intervene in the deportation of Julian Assange from the UK to the USA. With Nathan Rarere from her… Read more Audio

5:53 AM.Right now in Auckland's Pacific Island neighbourhoods, you can't move for red and white flags flying out of cars, adorning front windows or draped around the shoulders of the most fervent supporters… Read more Audio

5:45 AM.There was much to discuss with National's deputy leader Nicola Willis this week Roading, the doctor shortage and the debacle with gib board But first Nathan Rarere discussed National's victory in the… Read more Audio

5:34 AM.KidsCan has launched an urgent appeal to help feed children as winter hits, with its monthly donors having dropped for the first time in the programs 17 year history The charity says it's seeing a… Read more Audio

5:12 AM.To Spain now, where firefighters are battling wildfires caused by one of the earliest heatwaves on record.. Joining Nathan Rarere is our roving reporter Ellie Jay. Audio

5:06 AM.To our Japan desk now, where we have news of a plot involving voodoo ... but first Tokyo correspondent Chris Gilbert told Nathan Rarere that the Japanese police are gearing up for a Mt Fuji eruption.

5:54 AM.Police say the blink of an eye was all the time it took for seven people to lose their lives when a van and refrigerated goods truck collided near Picton yesterday morning. A baby was among those who… Read more Audio

5:49 AM.Friday will be Aotearoa's first ever Matariki public holiday to mark the start of the Maori new year. It's the most significant celebration in the traditional Maori calendar, occuring when the… Read more Audio

5:44 AM.If you're after a cheap, nutritious meal in Dunedin on a Monday or Friday afternoon, south is the way to go. From this week, American-Kiwi couple Jackie Bannon and Liam Arthur are serving up hot meals… Read more Audio

5:23 AM.It's Monday - and there's nothing more Monday than talking fresh produce. Joining Nick Trubridge from the markets is our Minister of Fruit and Vege Glenn Forsyth. Audio

5:14 AM.In Bangladesh, an extreme monsoon rain event has brought record flooding - killing at least 41 people and stranding millions. And it's set to get worse over the next few days. Nick Trubridge asked our… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.We begin this morning in the United States - where the Centres for Disease Control has finally recommended covid vaccines for under 5-year olds. Joining Nick Trubridge from New York is Anna… Read more Audio

5:52 AM.And finally this morning, the 80's have returned with the arrival of the Australian production of The Wedding Singer. The cast have brought their leg warmers, shoulder pads and mullets to New Zealand… Read more Audio

5:48 AM.It promises to be a dramatic day of hearings on the January 6 attacks on the American Capital, with Donald Trump's involvement coming under the spotlight like never before. Joining Nathan Rarere from… Read more Audio

5:44 AM.Stats NZ released data yesterday, that showed that The economy unexpectedly contracted at the start of the year .. as consumers controlled their spending, exports dipped, and primary industries… Read more Audio

5:23 AM.With Nathan Rarere from the Friday fresh produce markets is our Minister of Fruit and Veggies, Glenn Forsyth. Audio