Health Workforce: Labour’s pledge to guarantee job offers for every eligible graduate nurse is being backed as a practical fix for chronic shortages, with the NZ Council of Trade Unions saying hundreds of new graduates still can’t find work and risk heading to Australia. Transport & Cost of Living: The government has cancelled the planned 2027 fuel excise hike and delayed future increases, with Transporting NZ warning that underfunding the road network will still push up freight and living costs. Kiwifruit & Politics: NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones escalated his attack on the Bay of Plenty kiwifruit industry, alleging “medieval slave practices” and calling for a review of laws governing Zespri. Pacific Stakes: Foreign Minister Winston Peters is pushing a US$500m Pacific resilience fund, urging partners to close the gap, while new data shows Pacific children face material hardship at more than twice the national rate. Local Governance: Mackenzie councillors have criticised a regional spatial plan as a “waste of time and energy,” questioning the rushed timeframe and cost. Sport (NZ): Wellington’s Tokomanawa Queens have signed WNBA guard Charlisse Leger-Walker, bringing a homecoming and a chance to play alongside her sister. Aviation Safety Debate: A low flypast over Cape Town’s stadium has sparked safety concerns and defended claims it stayed within approved limits.