First Up Podcast Options

5:47 AM.For the very last time this year we'll talk to the Deputy leader of the National party, Nicola Willis. Nathan Rarere asked what she made of yesterday's announcement. Audio

5:37 AM.Maori and Pasifika health providers have teamed up to try and vaccinate people who the government rollout has failed to reach. After a protracted court battle, the Ministry of Health has been… Read more Audio

5:32 AM.Auckland hospitality businesses say the move to Orange on the 30th of December is too little too late for them. Yesterday the Prime Minister made the announcement that all regions in Red would move to… Read more Audio

5:23 AM.The lead-up to Christmas is always busy on TradeMe - as people flock to the site to find the perfect present.. And this week's perfect present just might be a barge. With a Spa pool.. Producer Jeremy… Read more Audio

5:11 AM.To the UK now, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced the first death of the Omicron variant of covid-19. Joining Nathan Rarere from the UK's covid capital is our correspondent Hope Bolger.

5:06 AM.We begin as we did yesterday in the United States, as stories of survival emerge in the wake of the tornados which swept through several US states over the weekend. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says… Read more Audio

5:53 AM.The Auckland City Mission is hoping to bring Christmas cheer to the city's homeless this year - despite the difficulties posed by Covid restrictions. Auckland City Missioner Helen Robinson tells… Read more Audio

5:47 AM.We'll find out later today whether any regions will enjoy greater freedoms this Christmas after Cabinet meets to review the traffic light settings. Currently, Northland, Auckland, Taupo and Rotorua… Read more Audio

5:42 AM.Christmas mass across the motu might look a little bit different this year, as the traffic light system means new restrictions and guidelines. But not to worry, churches have got things sorted when it… Read more Audio

5:22 AM.It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the produce markets - Nathan Rarere is joined by our Minister of Fruit and Vege Glenn Forsyth. Audio

5:05 AM.Back to the United States now where prosecutors have concluded their case in the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, who's accused of sex trafficking alongside convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Our US… Read more Audio

5:52 AM.Businesses in the small West Coast town of Reefton are being devastated by staff shortages due to employees refusing to get the Covid-19 vaccine. Around 79 per cent of people in the area have had one… Read more Audio

5:48 AM.Animal charity HUHA is sticking to its guns.. defying police requests to return 24 dogs stolen from a Taumarunui breeder. The dogs, most in very poor health, were dropped off to animal charity… Read more Audio

5:42 AM.An ICU doctor at Auckland Hospital says all Covid-19 patients who've been admitted to the ICU have NOT been vaccinated. As of yesterday there were 70 Covid-19 patients in hospital with 5 in the… Read more Audio

5:42 AM.Two weeks to go until Christmas, can you believe it and the shops are full of new summer fruits and veges and here to tell us what to buy in these last week - we go to our Minister of Fruit and Veges… Read more Audio

5:13 AM.Let's cross the Tasman now where a Queensland couple has taken desperate measures, chartering a plane to get their beloved rescue dog from Christchurch to the Gold Coast. Tash Corbin and her partner… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.We begin this morning in the US, where our correspondent Bevan Hurley has been in court reporting on the Ghislaine Maxwell trial. Audio

5:49 AM.It's a countdown to the 15th of December when Auckland's border will lift in time for the Christmas and Summer holidays. Yesterday the Government rejected criticism over Auckland's ongoing isolation… Read more Audio

5:44 AM.Central Otago Fruit growers say they are confident they will have enough workers to pick this summer season despite border closures. Usually New Zealand relies heavily on Pacific island RSE workers… Read more Audio

5:36 AM.Every year Stoats kill large numbers of native wildlife. But how and WHY were they brought to New Zealand? Professor Carolyn King is the author of a research paper into the arrival on effect of the… Read more Audio

5:26 AM.It's that time where we cast our eyes around the country and have a chat to our Local Democracy Reporters, joining Nathan Rarere is Felix Desmarais in Rotorua. Audio

5:18 AM.This Christmas the SPCA wants pet owners to remember some simple tricks to keep your fur babies safe over the holidays. Our reporter Ella Stewart spoke with SPCA scientific officer Dr Alison Vaughan… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.We begin this morning in Europe, where Germany has sworn in its 5th Chancellor since 1974.. Joining Nathan Rarere from the world's coldest place, is our correspondent based in Sweden, Anita… Read more Audio

5:43 AM.The mental health risks that elite athletes face has been brought back into focus after a Black Ferns player described having a breakdown after a series of derogatory comments about her were allegedly… Read more Audio