Midday Report

The United States is calling on Israel to conduct a swift investigation into the attack on a World Central Kitchen aid convoy which killed seven aid workers.

The head of the organisation has said the Israeli military targeted the convoy systematically car by car, despite having clear information about its movements.

Israel's military has expressed "severe sorrow" over the incident and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called it unintentional.

But that's disputed by other aid agencies.

Ashley Killeen from Medecins Sans Frontieres Doctors without Borders says attacks on humanitarian workers in the conflict is not new.

Killeen spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The Government is moving to make it easier to use building products from overseas, saying it will remove red tape and lower the cost of building.

It's announced it will recognise product standards from trusted overseas jurisdictions, instead of making designers or builders here go through the lengthy process of verifying materials.

Legislation to amend the Building Act and usher in the changes will be introduced later this year.

Building Industry Federation chief executive Julien Leys spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The hunt is on in Rotorua for a statue of a beloved stray dog which has been cut from its base and stolen.

The dog named Harawene roamed an area beside Te Ngae Road which is part of State Highway three.

Although she was timid and didn't allow anyone to approach her, she was fed daily by locals, and when she passed away in 2008, a statue was put up in her memory.

Fiona Cairns led the fundraising committee to create the statue.

Cairns spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Aotearoa's most capped All Black of all time is calling it quits. Sam Whitelock who debuted for the All Blacks in 2010 and went on to play 153 tests, has announced he's retiring from all professional rugby at the end of June.

Former All Black coach Sir Graham Henry spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Dairy giant Fonterra claims it has a strong pipeline of suppliers from its competitor Synlait wanting to return to the co-op - amid turbulent financial times for the specialty milk producer.

Monique Steele has the rural news.

All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard is set to miss the entire international season after suffering a serious knee injury in the Hurricanes win over the Highlanders in Dunedin at the weekend.

Stephen Hewson has sports.

A cold patch has settled over the economy, according to a survey by Westpac.

Gyles Beckford has the business news.

Public health researchers say tobacco companies are targeting young people through advertising on Tiktok with illegal products.

It is currently illegal to sell the products such as chewing tobacco and snus, which is a pouch of powdered tobacco placed between the upper lip and the gum.

But researchers say the industry is already out there promoting them. Reforming the regulation of smokeless tobacco and oral nicotine products is part of National's coalition agreement with New Zealand First.

University of Otago researcher Dr Jude Ball spoke to Charlotte Cook.

A manhunt is underway in Auckland for three people after a violent kidnapping on the North Shore on Tuesday night.

The police say a woman was forced from a property in Beach Haven into a car after an altercation around 7.30pm.

Neighbours have described hearing gunshots and a commotion.

The woman was later found in the suburb of Greenhithe with injuries and is receiving hospital treatment.

Reporter Jordan Dunn spoke to Charlotte Cook.

The Māori king, Kīngi Tūheitia, along with Tahitian and Cook Island leaders have signed a historic treaty, recognising whales as legal persons. 

It's hoped the move will put pressure on governments to develop legal protections for whales in the Pacific. 

Earth Council Alliance chair Lelei LeLaulu spoke to Ben Strang.