First Up Podcast Options

5:06 AM.We begin this morning with the war in Ukraine, where there's a growing humanitarian crisis Nathan Rarere spoke with our correspondent Giles Gibson just before the programme and asked him which… Read more Audio

5:52 AM.Back to the conflict in Ukraine now, where Russian forces are moving swiftly toward the capital Kyiv.. Nathan Rarere spoke with our correspondent in Moscow, Giles Gibson. Audio

5:46 AM.People will soon be able to add Rapid Antigen Tests to their shopping lists now supermarkets and pharmacies have been given the green-light to sell them. With 20,000 new infections yesterday and… Read more Audio

5:37 AM.Iwi say the protesters have lost their right to occupy their whenua and are asking them to pack up their things and leave. This week, Taranaki Whanui in Wellington - who were served a bogus trespass… Read more Audio

5:33 AM.On Christmas day Nigel Peterson's wife Nadiia left New Zealand with their young son to visit her family in Ukraine - she hadn't seen them since the pandemic began and it is the first time her parents… Read more Audio

5:23 AM.You can spend your life in Aotearoa and not have this opportunity - this week on TradeMe, the ultimate kiwi experience is up for grabs raising money to help save The Kiwi.. But first off this morning… Read more Audio

5:15 AM.To the Middle East now where Turkey has warned the international community against passing warships through the country's waters. Turkey has been restricting movements since the start of the Ukranian… Read more Audio

5:09 AM.Australia now where the Government has pledged more than 70 million dollars in military aid to the Ukrainian government, and around half that amount to help with the humanitarian effort.. Joining… Read more Audio

5:53 AM.The Labour Party has endorsed Councillor Efeso Collins for the mayoralty of Auckland. The current mayor Phil Goff will not be seeking re-election this year saying he wants to see a new generation of… Read more Audio

5:43 AM.The requirement to isolate at home means that tens of thousands of Covid cases and their contacts are relying on family or friends to bring them what they need while they recover. Without the care… Read more Audio

5:32 AM.Vaccinated New Zealanders will be able to enter the country from Australia without self isolating from midnight on Wednesday, and from the rest of the world from midnight Friday. The government made… Read more Audio

5:28 AM.From the money markets to the war being waged by Russia against Ukraine. The Ukrainian defence Minister has met with Russian counterparts for talks and has asked for a ceasefire. For the latest Nathan… Read more Audio

5:22 AM.It's time to cast our eyes around the country and lock into our network of Local Democracy Reporters. This week Nathan Rarere asked Emily Ireland of the Wairarapa Times Age about why the Chief… Read more Audio

5:16 AM.As war burns brightly in Ukraine, people in New Zealand are glued to the international news too, desperately worried for loved ones Nina Brilstra is anxiously awaiting news from her family in North… Read more Audio

5:11 AM.We're off to the UK, where Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has been blamed by Russia for President Putin's move to put the country's nuclear forces on "special alert". For more on this Nathan Rarere was… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.First Up in Japan, the government has joined the United States and European Union in blocking access by some Russian banks to the international SWIFT payment system; used by banks around the world to… Read more Audio

5:53 AM.Back to the conflict in Ukraine - and Russian President Vladimir Putin has put the country's nuclear deterrent on "special alert" - to find out more about what that means for both the people of… Read more Audio

5:49 AM.From midnight New Zealand Citizens and Residents can travel from Australia without having to go into MiQ on arrival, Travellers will still have to isolate for 7 days and will be given RAT tests to… Read more Audio

5:37 AM.With thousands of new cases of Covid-19 emerging in the community everyday, there are concerns about what the surge is going to do to our already-stretched healthcare system. This was laid bare by… Read more Audio

5:23 AM.It's time to cast our eyes across the fresh produce section with our Minister of Fruit and Veges Mr Glenn Forsyth. Read more Audio

5:10 AM.To Tonga now where a blanket of ash continues to cause major problems for farmers more than six weeks after the volcanic eruption and tsunami. We're joined once again by Simana Kami from the Oholei… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.An energy sector lobby group says applying the 'Crown Minerals (Amendment) Act' retrospectively to deals done years ago is 'bad public policy'. The Act passed in December is casting a shadow over… Read more Audio

5:52 AM.The move to Phase 3 could be a lifesaver for hospitality venues closed across the country due to isolating staff. Good Spirits Hospitality own venues across Auckland's city centre including Danny… Read more Audio

5:42 AM.Back to the conflict in Ukraine now, joining the programme from Moscow is our correspondent Stuart Smith. Audio

5:31 AM.As of this morning we're at phase three of the red Covid traffic light setting, which requires far greater self-management for covid positive cases and their contacts. If you find yourself testing… Read more Audio