In today's pod: The Beast takes on a NZ benchpress record; we look at why there's been a 454 per cent increase in online searches for electric vehicles this week; the Covid-19 vaccine will officially be available for general roll-out from the end of July and an Auckland animal sanctuary looks to rehome 1000 free range chooks.

RNZ: First Up Podcast

Best of First Up for Friday 18 June

In today's Pod: we break down the chances of the Black Caps beating India this weekend; older residents in the Counties Manukau DHB catchment have been waiting more than 10 weeks for a Covid jab - we find out why and Sports Minister Grant Robertson tells us why there is no more money left down the back of the couch for Team New Zealand.

Best of First Up for Thursday 17 June

In today's Pod: an investigation is launched into whether mysterious plastic beads scattered across a Coromandel beach could be from the wreck of the Rena which sank almost 10 years ago; a New Zealand Made business providing comfort for those challenged by sensory processing differences and increasing numbers of Kiwis are viewing China as a threat rather than as a friend.

Best of First Up for Wednesday 16 June

In the pod today: a formal apology half a century in the making - co-founder of the Black Panthers Will 'Illolahia says he wants an amnesty for overstayers as well as the government's apology for the dawn raids of the 1970s; why Rotorua Council's CEO needs so many deputies; a rare houseplant sells online for $27-grand and we catch up with trampolinist Dylan Schmidt before he bounces off to the Olympics.

Best of First Up for Tuesday 15 June

In the Pod today: a recruiter wants more grunty part time work to suit mums; the government announces a subsidy for those wanting to buy an electric vehicle - National's Transport spokesperson Michael Woodhouse is not so keen; and a petition against a film about the Christchurch terrorist attacks gathers more than 50-thousand signatures.

Best of First Up for Monday 14 June

In the Pod today: Taiwan is a sobering warning for us with Covid-19 rampant; the government wants all of our new vehicles to be electric by 2035 - we ask a couple of experts how; the perks of dining out if you forfeit your phone for the meal; a conspiracy of ring tailed lemurs arrive at Wellington Zoo and the long awaited return to the North Island of one of its earliest - and clumsiest - residents, the grey-faced petrel or northern muttonbird

Best of First Up for Friday 11 June

In today's pod: the government extends about 10 thousand temporary working visas to help alleviate ongoing labour shortages and let's agricultural workers in; why is there no more money for nurses and what will Pfizer deliveries look like after July - the deputy PM explains and an Auckland GP worries the public is not taking covid-19 seriously enough.

Best of First Up for Thursday 10 June

In today's pod: thousands of nurses are going on strike - the Nurses Organisation explains what they want; the Cook Islands travel bubble has businesses booming and the Chief Ombudsman has raised serious concerns about the state of some of New Zealand's acute care mental health facilities

Best of First Up for Wednesday 9 June

The best of each day's First Up, with Indira Stewart

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RNZ: First Up Podcast

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