First Up Podcast Options

5:34 AM.A global study has found plastic pollution in Lake Rotorua is similar to lakes in Europe and the United States where the population around the shore is much higher. The researchers who looked at 38… Read more Audio

5:24 AM.Time now to find out about the neighbourhood in Whakatane where buildings coming and going are in the news. Nathan Rarere asked local democracy reporter Diane McCarthy about the future of the… Read more Audio

5:17 AM.Back home now and if there's a particular type of food you're craving, chances are you'll find it on Auckland's Elliot Street. But it's status as Tamaki Makarau's culinary star isn't new. Elliott… Read more Audio

5:11 AM.To the UK now where a second allegation of inappropriate on-line behaviour has been levelled at the yet-to-be-named BBC presenter. Nathan Rarere asked our correspondent in London, Henry Riley - what… Read more Audio

5:06 AM.We begin this morning in Europe where leaders of NATO are meeting in Lithuania. Joining us from Germany is correspondent Nita Blake-Persen. Audio

5:49 AM.It's been a big week for the Greens - the party held its conference over the weekend, and released its election year manifesto. That includes policies they're campaigning on - like banning new fossil… Read more Audio

5:42 AM.We're about halfway through the year, but data from NIWA shows some parts of Aotearoa have already had more than a year's worth of rain. It's been one of our wettest years, and according to an expert… Read more Audio

5:32 AM.Auckland Transport is planning to close seven pedestrian crossings over railway lines around the city, as it gets ready for more frequent trains with the City Rail Link. But that's upset the… Read more Audio

5:23 AM.On TradeMe this week, a house in Mt Eden that could be the venue for the most literal man cave ever built in greater Auckland, and two auctions raising funds for charity. Producer Jeremy Parkinson… Read more Audio

5:14 AM.Turning our attention to the Middle East now - joining Nathan Rarere is our correspondent Alex Baird. Audio

5:06 AM.Let's kick Wednesday off in Brisbane - joining Nathan Rarere from her lofty perch is Pam Corkery. Audio

5:49 AM.A new Grocery Commissioner has been announceed, with the main job of holding the grocery sector to account on prices. National deputy leader Nicola Willis told Nathan Rarere she welcomes the… Read more Audio

5:44 AM.This morning the government has announced a new Grocery Commissioner, to improve competition among supermarkets and grocery stores. Pierre van Heerden has been named as the new retail referee. He's… Read more Audio

5:34 AM.The final countdown is on, just nine days out from the start of the Football Women's World Cup, and New Zealand's decided its time to lift their game. The Football Ferns won 2-0 against Vietnam in a… Read more Audio

5:24 AM.It's time now to speak to our Local Democracy reporter, this week we are in the Bay of Plenty with Laura Smith. Audio

5:16 AM.Torrential rain has been hammering south-western Japan, causing flooding and landslides. Two people have been confirmed dead and at least six people are reported missing. Our correspondent Chris… Read more Audio

5:05 AM.We begin this morning in the UK, Nathan Rarere is joined from London by correspondent Ellie Jay.. Audio

5:50 AM.Te Pati Maori has made another big announcement as the 2023 election campaign heats up. They've revealed political veteran Merepeka Raukawa-Tait will contest the general electorate seat of Rotorua… Read more Audio

5:46 AM.We head to the rolling green hills of Pirongia now, where dairy farmer Emma Poole has made history as the first ever female winner of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year award! Emma was in Timaru for the… Read more Audio

5:31 AM.Tagging on public property in Auckland is costing more than five million dollars a year to clean up. The council spends at least four million dollars water-blasting and repainting public property… Read more Audio

5:22 AM.Joining us from our bustling fresh produce market is our Associate Minister of Fruit and Veggies, Martin Pupuke. Audio

5:15 AM.Into the Pacific we head - joining Nathan Rarere from Tonga is our correspondent Kalafi Moala. Audio

5:06 AM.Newshub's North America correspondent Mitch McCann is with us from New York City. Audio

5:55 AM.You may have heard of the three rules of good real estate -- location, location, location. But a couple wanting to sell their quaint eatery is hoping buyers will be attracted to much more than just… Read more Audio

5:50 AM.Now even if you haven't been there, you will have heard of them - the Hamilton Gardens! The botanical destination has been named among top one percent of travel experiences in the world - according to… Read more Audio