First Up Podcast Options

5:25 AM.Middlemore Hospital is carrying a lot of Auckland's covid-19 weight at the moment, but it seems that the global pandemic isn't the only issue the Counties Manukau DHB is dealing with.. Joining Nathan… Read more Audio

5:09 AM.We head to Europe now, joining Nathan Rarere from the very top of the planet is our correspondent in Sweden Anita Purcell-Sjölund Audio

5:52 AM.Northlanders are torn between wanting Aucklanders to come to the region over summer to give a much-needed boost to struggling businesses, and concern that this will see Covid-19 spreading through the… Read more Audio

5:47 AM.Visiting Santa and getting a photo has been a long tradition for many families during the festive season. But with Covid-19 Delta cases surging in New Zealand's biggest city, seeing Santa might look a… Read more Audio

5:36 AM.The Reserve Bank is expected to raise interest rates when it delivers its final monetary policy announcement for the year later today Decade high inflation, decade low unemployment, rising wage… Read more Audio

5:26 AM.Today, November 24th, marks one hundred days until the start of the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup. ICC Women's Cricket World Cup CEO Andrea Nelson told Nathan Rarere that the event will have plenty… Read more Audio

5:19 AM.Sir Richard Hadlee is seeking public support to fund the final 1.6 million dollars needed to open an indoor training facility that will bear his name in Christchurch's Hagley Park. The multipurpose… Read more Audio

5:12 AM.We may as well stay in Australia for our next spot - because it's time for our weekly chat with First Up's correspondent in Brisbane, Pam Corkery. Audio

5:52 AM.And joining Nathan Rarere to discuss the move to the traffic light system from December the 3rd is the Mayor of Auckland Phil Goff. Audio

5:46 AM.Yesterday Nathan Rarere discussed the country moving to the new traffic light system with the National Party's deputy leader, Shane Reti. He asked why he thought Auckland couldn't move to step 3.3… Read more Audio

5:35 AM.On Friday December the 3rd the whole of New Zealand will move to the new traffic light system, including Auckland where hospitality venues will be able to reopen after three and a half months. The… Read more Audio

5:26 AM.On Thursday the scissors will be cleaned off, the razors sharpened and the creases flapped out of the folded up capes as Auckland's hairdressers will be able to reopen. They'll also be the first… Read more Audio

5:22 AM.This week on TradeMe - your chance to buy the house Tiger Woods stayed in way back in 2003 when he played the New Zealand Golf Open on the Kapiti Coast. But if collecting flash houses isn't your… Read more Audio

5:15 AM.A fourth wave of Covid-19 is pounding Germany as we speak - with a growing number of ICUs reaching full capacity. Nathan Rarere spoke with reporter Alex Baird who is in the German city of Cologne. Audio

5:10 AM.Five people are dead and more than 40 were injured when a vehicle drove into a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Witnesses described the horror of seeing people struck and lying on the ground… Read more Audio

5:05 AM.We begin this morning in the UK where the Government is under massive pressure over migrants crossing the English channel. Nathan Rarere spoke with our correspondent Henry Riley in London. Audio

5:52 AM.Politics now and it's more bad news for the National Party which has taken another hit in the latest Newshub-Reid Research poll. At the same time, the Act Party had an astonishing 4.9 percentage point… Read more Audio

5:47 AM.The borders around Auckland will officially lift on December the 15th and Aucklanders are champing at the bit to leave the city and visit friends and family across the country for Christmas, But what… Read more Audio

5:37 AM.A couple of years ago it would have seemed unthinkable that the vast majority of people that you would see out and about would be wearing a face covering, and that those NOT wearing one could expect… Read more Audio

5:24 AM.Joining Nathan Rarere from the Monday markets is our Minister of Fruit and Vege, Glenn Forsyth. Audio

5:15 AM.It's the time of the week where we delve into the small businesses of New Zealand and this week we're hearing from Sandi Wilson who has published a book chronicling her journey with her father as he… Read more Audio

5:11 AM.To the United States now where a number of protests have broken out over the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse. A jury found the teenager not guilty on Two counts of homicide, One count of attempted… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.We'll begin this morning in Canada where the people of British Columbia are dealing with some incredible flooding - joining Nathan Rarere is our correspondent Laura McQuillan. Audio

5:51 AM.The compulsory vaccination mandate for educators has been a hot news topic this week We've heard stories from teachers and ECE staff who have refused the mandate and consequently have decided to leave… Read more Audio

5:46 AM.Tourism operators are relieved and excited at the prospect of Auckland's border reopening just in time for Christmas. On Wednesday, the Government announced that people will be able to freely travel… Read more Audio