Breast Cancer Research: Auckland labs need immediate reopening after lockdowns disrupted vital work, with researchers warning tissue loss and stalled student training could set New Zealand back. Citizenship & Belonging: New Zealand’s citizenship test is set to become mandatory, covering Te Tiriti o Waitangi, human rights, voting and government, plus some criminal offences and passport travel knowledge. Health & Care Capacity: Ambulance demand hit record levels, prompting calls for stronger prevention and public health measures as winter illness strains the system. Long Covid Support: MPs backed a cross-party push for better Long Covid/ME-CFS support, highlighting inequities in access to care and specialist pathways. Digital Skills Pipeline: Tech New Zealand urges coordinated action to fix the digital skills gap as AI, cybersecurity and software demand rise faster than entry-level opportunities. Arts & Community: Nelson’s new arts hub Tāwera opens as a “place of possibility” for workshops, galleries and citywide creative coordination. Local Politics: Porirua’s Onepoto by-election has five candidates, with ballots set to go out in September. Culture & Identity: Niue artist Susannah Sionetuato brings ancestral stories and hiapo-inspired work to Auckland in her first Aotearoa exhibition. Food & Lifestyle: A winter comfort-food roundup spotlights global favourites, including NZ pumpkin soup. Money & Wellbeing: MoneyHub publishes a guide arguing happiness comes more from time, people and health than bigger balances.