Public health & culture: New Zealand’s eye donation shortage is back in the spotlight, with hundreds waiting for corneal transplants and calls for whānau to talk about what happens to eye tissue after death. Māori rights & disability: Nurses and disability advocates are urging urgent action after the Waitangi Tribunal found Māori tāngata whaikaha are still being left out of a culturally unsafe disability system. Pacific health: Researchers warn Fiji’s rapidly escalating HIV crisis is now a regional emergency, urging stronger New Zealand–Fiji cooperation. Community action: Awanui residents are protesting a proposed fourth vape store, saying it’s harming tamariki and that enforcement is failing. Work & welfare pressure: MSD says emergency food grants were wrongly denied due to an admin error, raising alarms about how quickly hardship whānau can fall through the cracks. Labour & climate politics: Labour says ETS emissions pricing is too cheap and signals a forestry review, while pausing new forestry registrations during the rethink. Public services: Around 10,000 public servants are set to strike, including MSD and other ministries, over pay and service delivery. Education infrastructure: Government funding will deliver 34 new classrooms and a gym across 10 schools, including multiple Auckland sites. Wellington arts: What’s on in the capital this spring includes major music and the reopening of City Gallery Wellington after earthquake strengthening.