First Up for Tuesday 20 February 2024

5:50 AM.To politics, and the Ministry of Social Development is going to ramp up benefit sanctions this year. The government wants MSD to complete 'work check-ins' with beneficiaries considered ready for… Read more Audio

5:44 AM.Mobile phones will be officially banned in schools starting next term, but some schools have already implemented the policy. Under the new rules, students will not be allowed to use a phone at school… Read more Audio

5:34 AM.We've investigated golf, speed golf, disc golf and mini golf on First Up... so this next story was the logical next step...Long Drive Golf Picture muscular athletes swinging a golf club like an axe -… Read more Audio

5:24 AM.Checking out the neighbourhood of Bay of Plenty with Local Democracy reporter in Whakatane, Diane McCarthy. She told Nathan Rarere all about the area's new 6.3 million dollar water treatment plant. Audio

5:14 AM.To South America now, in Argentina is RNZ's Kate Pereyra-Garcia. Audio

5:06 AM.We'll begin Tuesday's programme in the United Kingdom, joining us from London is our correspondent Henry Riley. Audio