First Up Podcast Options

5:54 AM.Each week we have a look at a unique New Zealand business and this week we are very "on-trend" for the election. Kevin Barrett is a fulltime primary healthcare nurse and also the founder of 'Famine of… Read more Audio

5:53 AM.Indira Stewart discusses the issue further with Carolyn Press-McKenzie, who's the co-founder of the animal charity HUHA "helping you help animals". Audio

5:49 AM.Police are investigating an incident in Northland where a property was entered by animal rescue workers following ongoing concerns over the welfare of more than 90 dogs. The group filmed themselves… Read more Audio

5:43 AM.A leading epidemiologist says the World Health Organisation's Covid-19 advice has not been helpful to countries like New Zealand. Professor Michael Baker's comments follow the WHO's special envoy on… Read more Audio

5:34 AM.Since March people entering New Zealand have been required to complete a 14 day isolation in one of the now 32 dedicated managed isolation facilities across the country. They're being run by an army… Read more Audio

5:09 AM.Going by the numbers, Auckland is in economic recovery - coming back from the brink after losing over four-thousand jobs during the recent regional lockdown. Auckland Council number-crunchers have… Read more Audio

5:52 AM.Roderick Aldridge has never used cannabis in his life, but the 80-year-old Hamilton man will be voting to legalise the drug in the upcoming referendum. He's even been delivering New Zealand Drug… Read more Audio

5:46 AM.Since the Second World War US military operations have been contaminating the Pacific with toxic substances, including chemical weapons and radioactive material. It's estimated that hundreds of… Read more Audio

5:37 AM.Auckland water blasting businesses are sighing with relief, now that the region's water restrictions have been eased for commercial users. But the region's water woes are far from over. The area's… Read more Audio

5:33 AM.After their own winter lockdown of sorts New Zealand's bees are getting busy again. The blooming flowers and warmer weather mark the start of swarm season, when bees form new hives because their old… Read more Audio

5:23 AM.This week on TradeMe's featured auctions - two vehicles, a fire-engine-red Ford Van and particularly well maintained three wheeled Morgan. But first, TradeMe's Millie Silvester tells producer Jeremy… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.We begin in the UK where Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced what is being called a "three-tier" lockdown plan. Indira Stewart speaks to our correspondent in London, Henry Riley. Audio

5:47 AM.The lockdowns were a tough and lonely time for many of us, in some cases stoking mental health or addiction issues. In increasing numbers people are heading to a little Auckland cafe over the weekend… Read more Audio

5:47 AM.The National Party came under fire this year for its lack of diversity after it reshuffled its caucus several times following two leadership changes. But one of its candidates Christopher Luxon, who… Read more Video, Audio

5:33 AM.One of the least known of the eight iwi of Te Tauihu - the Top of the South Island - is planning to formalise its role as kaitiaki of the Nelson Lakes region with its own marae concept there. Ngati… Read more Audio

5:24 AM.Joining us now from the fresh produce markets is our Minister of Fruit and Vege, Glenn Forsyth. Audio

5:18 AM.A veteran Waikato dairy farmer believes a Labour-Green government would not be good for farmers. Lloyd Downing helped organise a farmer protest in Morrinsville leading up to the last election in 2017… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.Let's begin in the United States, where Donald Trump was back on the campaign trail over the weekend despite his recent bout of Covid-19. Joining us is our correspondent Sarah Walton. Audio

5:53 AM.And the latest TVNZ Colmar Brunton Poll out last night had Labour steady on 47 per cent, with National falling one point to 32 per cent. The Greens were on 6 per cent and New Zealand First continues… Read more Audio

5:44 AM.With close to half a million people having already voted while politicians have been in full campaign mode, what's the point of the age-old rule forbidding election advertising on polling day? That's… Read more Audio

5:25 AM.Direct from the fresh produce markets is our Minister of Fruit and Veges, Glenn Forsyth - he's talking about this month's 5+ a day recommendations. Audio

5:14 AM.Johan Buys is the Hoofman. His job is trimming the hoofs of the country's cattle. He caught up with our Country Life producer Carol Stiles while doing a spot of hoof trimming - or cattle podiatry as… Read more Audio

5:05 AM.To the US now, where President Donald Trump is refusing to participate in the second Presidential debate which was scheduled for the 15th of October and was to take place in Miami. The commission… Read more Audio