Local Arts & Identity: Tāmaki Makaurau soul-food singer-songwriter dān dān drops debut EP songs about food, a bilingual English/Mandarin set using family meals to map identity and whakapapa. Public Safety & Health: Hato Hone St John faces record ambulance demand as a later-than-usual influenza spike hits schools and care facilities; public health experts urge prevention like staying home when sick and better indoor/outdoor air. Animal Welfare & Politics: Animal Justice Party condemns a Chatham Islands bull-chasing incident, drawing parallels to the international outrage over “Hope” the wolf. Māori Rights in the Courts: Rotorua Lakes Council was ruled to have acted unlawfully over sacred Lake Rotokākahi during a sewerage scheme, a win for local iwi/hapū. Community & Culture: Motueka’s service centre move into the library is set to continue after a bid to stop it failed, despite a petition and concerns about toi Māori art. Immigration & Family Life: Parent Resident Visa rules shift from a lottery to mostly date-based selection, aiming for more certainty for families. Science & Education: Tāwhaki and UC expand pathways for rangatahi in aerospace, environmental science and whenua rejuvenation. Sports & Culture: NZ Secondary Students Choir auditions open for 2027/28, with a national tour and international performance. Infrastructure: Lyttelton Port backs an $821m deepwater wharf and container terminal, with first cargo not expected until 2031.