On the pod today: house prices went up 2.2 per cent last month and 13 per cent year on year - we tell you what it means for your city; Goat Island locals were left outraged after a group of anglers caught a giant snapper from the marine reserve's beach; why the elopement business is taking off - it's not because of Covid and the dire state of maths results in our schools. Why a tutor with 4 decades of experience says she's never seen things this bad.

On the pod today: greyhounds are being rehomed more than ever before - what should you know before adopting; who's bidding for the chance to meet a new baby flamingo; a new reort says Maori are twice as likely to die from cancer; the government is to make it easier for councils to establish Maori wards, we talk with former New Plymouth Mayor Andrew Judd.

On the pod today: the Climate Change Commission says we need to take bold action to meet our greenhouse gas emission obligations; we catch up with the mightily impressive Young New Zealander of the Year nominee, Madeleine de Young and there's a growing number of New Zealanders who, having beaten Covid-19, continue to suffer the effects of the virus and they feel they're being ignored.

On the pod today: cicadas are the sound of summer but we're not hearing them quite yet; we find out what its like at an isolation hotel after this week's covid-19 community cases; we're kicking off one of our new weekly segments on First Up this year, looking at wildlife and animals and an Auckland youngster who has his heart set on a vacuum cleaner but not just any kind.

On the pod today: we catch up with our local democracy reporter in Wairarapa about an invasive plant sniffing dog detective; the sad news of the rapid decline of shark species worldwide; new MP Ayesha Verrall was parachuted straight into cabinet - we find out how this scientist is finding the transition to politics and it could be a year before New Zealand's Covid vaccine programme is complete - we took to the streets to find out what you think.

On the pod today; Who's up with us this early? We visit Daily Bread bakery; an artist who has modified from paintings to more pratical homeware and how Covid-19 patients could still be susceptible to the new South African strain..

On the pod today: Kiwi UFC star Dan Hooker lost over the weekend, is he on the brink of retirement? Over the next couple of days we'll be speaking to ordinary Americans about what they think about the end of the Donald Trump era and we'll hear how to enjoy a dram of whisky in space.

In today's pod: people can now fly quarantine-free from the Cook Islands to New Zealand, but why not the other way around? Councils are calling on the government to fix a loophole that allows companies to dump contaminated waste water down the drain without facing penalties and the Black Caps are officially the number one test team in the world, so why is it still possible for the Aussies to take our spot in the Test Championship final?

On today's pod: Santa is nearly ready to set off, but how will he keep safe on his deliveries; the holidays can be hazardous for pets, how to keep them safe this Christmas; Oscar Kightley reviews the highs and lows of 2020 - what a year it has been and we're talking top tips for turkey with Annabelle White.

On today's pod: MPI help fund research to extend the life of commercial Bumblebee hives; a Wellington author says having an assistance dog has changed her life but the long journey to get a canine helper wasn't always smooth; the difference between smiling in different situations...new research we might actually all make the same facial expressions in social situations; and residents at risk of extreme weather in the Bay of Plenty settlement of Matata finally but reluctantly agree to leave their homes - but where will they go.