Education & Youth: A Ministry of Education consultation on replacing NCEA found strong support for improving the senior secondary system, with four out of five educators and industry submitters backing changes—though many teachers, students and families still want NCEA refined rather than scrapped. Pasifika Fashion: Pacific Fusion Fashion Show closed out New Zealand Fashion Week celebrating a decade of Pasifika artistry, with founder Nora Swann spotlighting how Pacific people stay at the centre as the event grows. Sport (Rugby): Oceania Rugby 7s Cup is set for Rotorua next month, featuring Niue in both the men’s and women’s competitions, alongside teams like Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Cook Islands, with SVNS 3 qualification places on the line. Sport (Pickleball): Pickleball’s Pacific boom is building pathways through community centres, churches and schools, with Pacific-led clubs and players like Tongan Semisi Fanguna pushing toward bigger competitive opportunities. Culture & Community (Music): Tongan tenor Filipe Manu returned to Auckland’s Dilworth School to give back, donating his Fortissimo concert fundraiser performance after crediting free singing lessons for launching his opera journey. Food & Identity: Auckland’s Tala—now Michelin-starred—marks a milestone as the world’s first Michelin-starred Samoan restaurant, with chef Henry Onesemo linking global recognition to serving culture in every detail.