First Up Podcast Options

5:23 AM.It's Wednesday which means we're introducing you to another unique kiwi business owner. Laura Shallcrass is an illustrator and graphic designer based just outside of Queenstown. She can add published… Read more Audio

5:08 AM.The 2020 Democratic National Convention kicked off yesterday afternoon. The event, which takes place each election year, provides a platform to promote and then formally nominate, the party's choice… Read more Audio

5:54 AM.Westmere Butchers in Auckland believe it would also be safer to be open during alert level 3 - rather than operating a click and collect service. Manager Glen McKendry spoke with Indira. Audio

5:51 AM.Nearly 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for butchers, greengrocers and bakeries to operate as normal at alert level 3. Under current rules, they can only operate through contactless… Read more Audio

5:47 AM.The election date announcement has come as a shock to many - especially to the group of young New Zealanders now eligible to vote. Jacinda Ardern revealed yesterday the election would be pushed back… Read more Audio

5:36 AM.A rare plant has sold for more than $8,000 after an online bidding war broke out on Trade Me - breaking the sites record sale price for a plant. The Variegated Minima leaves are half green and half… Read more Audio

5:33 AM.South Auckland and its Pacific community has been the target of online hate after a local family was the first to test positive for Covid 19 in the current outbreak. Four positive cases has ballooned… Read more Audio

5:23 AM.Two political heavyweights will go head to head in a battle royale - but not at the ballot box but on the Monopoly board, and you can be part of the action. TradeMe's Ruby Topzand tells producer… Read more Audio

5:11 AM.A cookbook that was meant to put food on the table for the Waikato's most vulnerable during the Covid-19 lockdown has gone on to pick up awards previously won by the world's elite chefs. The Mighty… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.To the UK, where high-school exam results will be overturned after days of concern from students. Students in Wales and in Northern Ireland have been given the grades predicted by their teachers - not… Read more Audio

5:52 AM.There's been concern among the Pacific community about the ethnicity of the family at the centre of the current cluster being revealed. It comes as the Ministry of Health begins reporting this new… Read more Audio

5:48 AM.Winston Peters has joined the call for the general election to be delayed until the 21st of November - backing the date put forward by National and ACT. Parliament is set to dissolve today ahead of… Read more Audio

5:43 AM.It took close to 24 hours for Lotto players to check their online tickets following Saturday's 50 million dollar must win powerball jackpot. With no one winning first division, ten lucky players from… Read more Audio

5:25 AM.Our Minister of Fruit and Veges Glenn Forsyth on the specials and what growers are preparing for spring consumption. Audio

5:12 AM.Along with heightened alert levels, New Zealand has a new advisory on masks which studies have shown can help reduce spreading the virus. Aucklanders are being asked to wear a face covering when… Read more Audio

5:51 AM.Ideally a few more days test results would be collected before the government moves alert levels. That's from epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker, ahead of Cabinet's meeting today, where they'll… Read more Audio

5:46 AM.Homemade mask makers have been inundated with orders - as face coverings become highly recommended during this new outbreak. Julie Chaab began making handmade reusable products following the birth of… Read more Audio

5:35 AM.A warning from hotels - the situation is dire and they're almost at the end of the road. The New Zealand Hotel Owners Association are now calling for some of the government's Covid-19 tourism fund to… Read more Audio

5:23 AM.Fresh produce news with our Minister of Fruit and Veges Glenn Forsyth. Audio

5:09 AM.Auckland pre-schools are worried they won't survive if the city's level three lockdown extends into next week. Under level three rules, only the children of essential workers and those who cannot stay… Read more Audio

5:51 AM.Auckland is waking up to the first full day at Alert Level 3, it came into place at midday yesterday and from early morning people were lining up at Covid-19 testing stations and heading to the… Read more Audio

5:46 AM.The chance of a Cook Islands travel bubble before the end of the year is now looking less likely - after community transmission of covid-19 was discovered in Auckland. It comes just days after talk we… Read more Audio

5:41 AM.The family tested positive for covid-19 are feeling embarassed and a sense of guilt despite doing everything right. That's from Manukau ward Councillor Efeso Collins - who's been in touch with others… Read more Audio