RNZ - All Programmes

It is Thursday on First Up so of course we hear from Africa where a Zebra has been hit by a plane, we find out about the on-going meth problem in Hawkes Bay and a campground in Piha hopes to get the all clear to open in time for this summers national surf competiton. First Up - Vocie of the Nathan.

So much music for kids, including 'Dinosaur Disco' from Itty Bitty Beats, 'The Bellbirds' by Niccolo Piccolo, and a song by Mr Roberelli & Kath Bee about butterflies. Bryan and Bobby chat to a real teacher, kids talk about their favourite toys, and there are fun facts about the Stegosaurus!

The Cornell rape allegations - why the case has gone viral and why women worldwide are saying "I'm Jane Doe".

A wrap of the day's big stories

The debates, the political panels, the interviews and ads and interactive innovations are all cranking up in intensity as general election voting looms.

Can you trademark any word you like? A surname? A suburb? Your dog's name?

From Caramilk to Ginger Coca-cola, Kiwis are often among the first people in the world asked to give something a go. But why is that?

Tonight: protests in France, a mysterious plague case in Russia, accusations against Germany’s former spy chief, and whiskey in space

ABC Wantok Program for 7 October 2026.

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

More than 50 institutions are involved in the project, including a team from the University of Canterbury, led by Professor Jenni Adams.

Several parties have proposed creating an independent agency to analyse policies and cost election promises. But would it improve the quality of election debate, or simply create another institution for parties to fight over?

The latest RNZ Pacific news.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Heather Roy, Ben Thomas and Ruwani Perera.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: in-house linguist Rory O'Sullivan explores and unpacks the wonders of vocal fry.

First up, immediate response from Anna and Thomas to last night's TVNZ Leader's Debate, then they talk to the head of the Asso­ci­ation of Salar­ied Med­ical Spe­cial­ists, Sarah Dalton about claims of target 'gaming' in the health sector. Then, Auckland North Shore residents are up in arms after the council issued consents for eight homes on a private driveway without telling the co-owners. The p...

Europe correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about a quarter of a million people taking to the streets of France to protest school conditions, as well as a seventh arrest in relation to the Fairford airbase incident.

Business News for 7 October 2026.

A one of a kind Rotorua te reo course turns 40 next month. He Kainga Mo te Reo is a free full time immersion language course for adults. It's funded through the Ministry of Education. Over four decades it's taught an estimated 8000 students. Tutu Kautai has been a kaiako with He Kainga Mo Te Ro for more than 30 years, and spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand Cricket is finally opening up about how it arrived at the decision to pursue a proposal for a new privately-owned T20 franchise league. It comes six months after the decision, and follows some pretty pointed criticism from high profile members of the cricket community. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

After nearly 36 years, David Tamihere has had the charges against him for murdering a pair of Swedish backpackers thrown out. Tamihere already had his convictions quashed by the Supreme Court earlier this year, but it was left to the Crown to decide whether to hold another trial - and this morning the court heard they didn't have sufficient evidence to proceed. Finn Blackwell was there.

All the top stories and other headlines from the day

Firefighting efforts resumed from the air and the ground at Walter Peak near Queenstown as a vegetation fire continues to burn. The fire above the shores of Lake Wakatipu has grown to an estimated 1200 hectares, with volatile winds and rugged terrain testing the efforts of crews. The dramatic developments have also sparked the interests of locals and visitors. Katie Todd reports.

A union is calling out a rubbish deal that could see more than a dozen workers made redundant, only to be hired back as contractors. Workers First is accusing Waste Management, one of New Zealand's largest recovery and recycle operators of taking away guaranteed hours, wage protections, leave provisions and secure jobs. Workers are being made redundant with the option of buying their rubbish truck...