Men’s mental health: Chef Colin Fassnidge says more men should ask for help, sharing how therapy and community support helped him after tough stretches of travel and loneliness. Auckland culture & lifestyle: “My Secret Auckland” spotlights Epine Bob Savea’s go-to city favourites, from food stops to a favourite hike and late-night reset at home. Māori arts & global reach: Budget 2026 delivers $10m for Te Māori Tū, aiming to push Māori culture, taonga and creative industries further onto the world stage. International students: Homestay families are urgently needed for an international student programme, with placements across multiple communities. Sports & identity debate: A transgender male athlete’s Supreme Court case in the US continues to ripple into girls’ sport conversations, with NZ readers watching closely. Community & wellbeing: ACC musculoskeletal claims keep climbing, with more Aucklanders seeking local care for back, neck and joint issues. Protest planning: Pro-Palestine groups plan coordinated protests in Fiji and New Zealand over Israel’s first Pacific embassy. Arts spotlight: Forrester Gallery’s new extension brings an Oamaru stone sculpture back into the light, adding a dramatic biblical work to its atrium.