Checkpoint

Israel's defence force is getting ready to take over Gaza city after the security cabinet approved the plan. Ahead of an hours long meeting, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told media he wants to take control of the whole Palestinian territory. His office has confirmed the IDF will prepare for the take over of Gaza City while ensuring the provision of humanitarian aid to the civilian population outside the combat zone. Correspondent in Tel Aviv Blake Sifton spoke to Lisa Owen.

For over a decade, a pair of huge eagles ridden by Gandalf the wizard greeted people as they arrived in the city famous for the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. But no longer. Today, Wellington Airport unveiled its brand new centerpiece created by Weta Workshop and it's already proving a hit with locals and visitors. Massey University journalism student Kajal Nair reports.

Business leaders and the Associate Energy Minister have been in crisis talks after a Taranaki manufacturer revealed looking to shutdown production for up to four months because it can't get a guaranteed gas supply. Ballance Agri-Nutrients uses the gas to power its production but it lost its supply to Contact Energy, and said it cant find a relaible replacement supply. The Business NZ Energy Council has long been warning a gas shortage could lead to business closures. Executive director Tina Schirr spoke to Lisa Owen.

It was all aboard the City Rail Link express today for the Prime Minister and Cabinet colleagues in another milestone for the multi-billion dollar project. A train did a special VIP test run in the new tunnels. Auckland's mayor was on board too - and liked what he saw inside the station - but as for what's outside? He called that a disappointment. Kim Baker Wilson was on board.

It has been an interesting last 24 hours for the All Blacks, as confirmation came through that Richie Mo'unga will be returning next season. Mo'unga will be eligible for test rugby in time for the end of year tour and the 2027 Rugby World Cup. However, the news effects more than just team selection, with the rebel R360 competition trying to get off the ground at around about the same time. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

There's a way that the money you're putting aside for your Lotto ticket could give you an almost certain $100,000 windfall. Lotto's Powerball is rolling over for a $20 million prize on Saturday. But while we spend a combined more than $700 million a year on Lotto products, investment experts say people might be missing out on a prize that they are much more likely to achieve. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about Japan continuing to record a steep decline in population growth.

A children's reading book has been shelved by the Ministry of Education because it has apparently got too many Māori words in it. In a message to schools, it said student sized copies of 'At the Marae' will not be reprinted due to the "high number" of te reo Māori words in the text. The Ministry of Education said Māori vowel sounds are different to English ones and that makes the book less appropriate for students to practise decoding wording using the phonetic method they have been taught. CEO of Te Akatea, the national association of Māori school principals and leaders spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about Australia wrestling with whether to introduce a new regulatory regime to try to control the unharnessed growth of artificial intelligence. It comes at the cost of many people's jobs while the profits flow to the overseas tech giants controlling the technology.

The government has officially labelled product labels a problem and ordered a review. It said we currently have 30 codes, standards and regulations, and that is too many, with the current requirements costly, frustrating, complex and outdated. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson spoke to Lisa Owen.