First Up Podcast Options

5:16 AM.There are now 34 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Tonga, just as the Kingdom rebuilds after last month's eruption and tsunami. Key to the aid effort has been the massive response from communities in New… Read more Audio

5:12 AM.Tensions are still high over Ukraine, with Russia continuing to build up a military force on the border - while President Putin is still assuring leaders that he has no plans to invade. Joining Nathan… Read more Audio

5:53 AM.It would be an understatement to say that these past few months have been tough for the hospitality industry. The latest Covid restrictions mean many are reporting greater than 50 per cent reductions… Read more Audio

5:45 AM.If you're finding yourself clammy, sweaty and breathing heavily into your face mask when you're out and about at the moment, you're not alone. Northern parts of New Zealand have already had more than… Read more Audio

5:35 AM.The country's first COSTCO is getting closer to opening, with the massive building nearing completion at Westgate in Auckland. The company intends opening at the site before the middle of the year… Read more Audio

5:26 AM.This week on TradeMe - there isn't a kidney shaped Kumara, or some Brain shaped Bread - BUT there is a perfect, heart-shaped potato There's also an original Dick Frizzell painting to gaze upon But… Read more Audio

5:12 AM.We're off the Middle-East now - Nathan Rarere is joined from Doha by our correspondent Alex Baird. Audio

5:48 AM.Well it's back to Parliament for the country's MPs today for what - we think it's safe to assume - will be the start of one hell of a year in politics. They'll be greeted this morning by anti mask and… Read more Audio

5:37 AM.For those of us of a certain vintage, watching Marty McFly zooming around on a hover board in the movie Back to the Future II was just about the coolest thing you could think of. And if you're able to… Read more Audio

5:11 AM.There was good news for the arts and culture sectors last week with the government announcing 121-million dollars in funding to help practitioners through the latest phase of the pandemic. With… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made a number of appointments to high-profile roles at Downing Street in a bid to rebuild his inner-circle after a slew of resignations last week. For more on that… Read more Audio

5:53 AM.Taran Singh and his wife Irvin Kaur have been trying to get home to New Zealand before Irvin gives birth in mid April. Nathan Rarere spoke with Taran just before the programme and asked him about… Read more Audio

5:49 AM.Meanwhile one of the most vocal critics of the government's MIQ system has been businessman Sir Ian Taylor. We caught up as he travelled to the United States last year to demonstrate how testing and… Read more Audio

5:44 AM.Thousands of Kiwis overseas will be able to return to New Zealand without MIQ from the end of the month. The news has garnered mixed reactions from people online, with some saying it's too little too… Read more Audio

5:31 AM.Beijing is set to become the first city to hold both a summer and winter Olympics, with the 2022 Winter Games kicking off today.. Nathan Rarere spoke with Sky Sport's Jeff McTainsh, who arrived in the… Read more Audio

5:22 AM.We're at tail of the berry season now - to talk berries is our Minister of Fruit and Veggies, Glenn Forsyth. Audio

5:10 AM.We head to Washington DC now, where Nathan Rarere is joined by Simon Marks. Audio

5:06 AM.Breaking news out of the Middle East overnight with the death of ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qureshi We start with a double hit in the USA - first let's head to New York to our correspondent… Read more Audio

5:48 AM.And as you'll have heard in Ella's report before the Prime Minister is due to announce changes to the country's border settings today. Nathan Rarere was able to discuss this with the Deputy Prime… Read more Audio

5:38 AM.Thousands of Kiwis stuck overseas are hoping for good news today when the Prime Minister announces changes to New Zealand's border rules. The Managed Isolation and Quarantine system has been making… Read more Audio

5:33 AM.It's official. American football star Tom Brady, who made history securing 7 superbowl championships in 22 seasons is officially retiring. The 44 year old brought the curtain down in a lengthy… Read more Audio

5:24 AM.It's that time of the week where we have a look around the country and hear the stories of our Local Democracy reporters. Joining Nathan Rarere this morning is Adam Burns in Ashburton. Audio