Labour's Willow-Jean Prime on the party's public transport fare cap policy and changes in public trust levels towards China and the US

The Pacific Dance Festival returns to Mangere Arts Centre this week. Timoara Tonganibeia, Chairperson of the Marewen Kiribati Youth Group, tells First Up about their upcoming performance.

RNZ's Peter de Graaf on the latest from the region, including the mourning a much-loved retired school principal.

Correspondent Nabil Ahmed Rufai brings us the latest from the region

The latest news in Cook Islands Maori (Te Reo Maori Kuki Airani) - brought to you by our partner - Pacific Media Network.

On the playlist, a new Suzy Cato song, a tune about a turbo-charged Duck, Mr Roberelli sings about fruits that start with 'P', and there's new music from Itty Bitty Beats. Plus, Lilly reviews a book about a very clever NZ scientist, there's a cool story, and we ask kids, 'What are Germs?'

The 'less polished version' of Winston Peters could be the next Prime Minister of Australia, with One Nation topping the polls

Who'll pay for a 'wholly unsuccessful' defamation case against TVNZ? Also: Metro rides again, more attribution angst & a ferry good eye witness

A wrap of the day's big stories

RNZ Music's Zen Yates-Fill joins Emile Donovan on the show tonight to take us through the good, the bad and the ugly.