Prime Minister Chris Hipkins talks joins Kathryn Ryan to talk about his first week on the job. Catastrophic flooding in Auckland has made for a challenging start. Also challenging the government is inflation and the cost of living, and Mr Hipkins has promised his cabinet will focus on "bread and butter" issues affecting struggling households as well as "reprioritising" spending. Yesterday he confirmed the 25-cent petrol tax cut and half price public transport will be extended until the end of June. He's also reshuffled his cabinet - appointing a Minister for Auckland and promoting some less experienced Ministers into high profile portfolios. The election is just eight and a half months away.....what can Prime Minister Hipkins deliver between now and then?

As interest rates continue an upwards march and home values drop, many people may be finding it difficult to service their mortgage. David Boyle joins Kathryn to talk about what homeowners can do to help protect themselves. Is there any light at the end of the tunnel?

It's kitten season, so if you're thinking about getting a cat - now is a good time as animal shelters are full of them. But what cat is going to suit your household? How much do cats cost to run? How often do they need to see a vet? Dr Kat Littlewood is a Lecturer in Animal Welfare at the School of Veterinary Science at Massey University - and a cat lover. She'll answer your cat-related questions.

We check in on the western Bay of Plenty after the heavy rain that's been soaking the upper North Island - which roads have been badly effected, what's happening with the freight train that derailed? Tauranga City Dog Pound is no longer allowing owners to visit dogs if they are awaiting prosecution and Tauranga Council commissioned a survey into how residents feel about their council - what were the results?

Quentin Johnson reviews two of his favourite classics: The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell, both published by Penguin

Dr Douglas Seals is a professor of integrative physiology who's studied the biological and lifestyle factors that can cause cardiovascular aging and the interventions that can improve it. He's based at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and is director of the Integrative Physiology of Aging Laboratory. He was in New Zealand at the end of last year due to his involvement in studies into MitoQ - a molecule created by researchers at Otago University that's a powerful antioxidant. In one study lead by his lab, the drug reversed the aging of blood vessels in older adults by the equivalent of 15 - 20 years in the space of six weeks. He talks to Kathryn about that and the best ways to stave off heart disease.

Australia correspondent Karen Middleton joins Kathryn to talk about the hunt for a missing radioactive capsule from a Rio Tinto mine in the Pilbara that's about the size of a pea. Racial tensions are running high in Alice Springs over the rocketing rates of violent crime, with locals warning the place is about to explode. A gay rights protest is planned for Thursday outside the Cathedral where the late Cardinal George Pell is due to be buried and Australia has a new domestic low-cost airline...called Bonza.

There are warnings fresh vegetables could be pricey, contaminated and poor quality following flood-damage. Green leafy vegetables, onions, garlic and pumpkins have been ruined in the Auckland floods. Piles of onions have been washed onto the roads. Kathryn speaks with Pukekohe Vegetable Growers' Association President Kirit Makan and United Fresh NZ technical advisory group's Anne Marie Arts.

Auckland Airport was extensively flooded in Friday's deluge leaving passengers stranded both in the terminal and around the world. Chief Executive Carrie Hurihanganui gives Kathryn an update.

The heavy rain overnight in Auckland has put further stress on those out in western suburbs who were struggling to clean up after Friday's floods. Kathryn speaks to Waitakere Councillor Shane Henderson about what he's seen around his ward this morning.