Economy Watch: New Zealand’s June quarter growth came in at 2.6% year-on-year, with recovery broadening beyond the South Island despite Middle East headwinds. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure: A new report highlights that New Zealand lacks mandatory rules for critical infrastructure cybersecurity, while many organisations still don’t have full visibility of operational systems. Parliament Update: The Natural Environment Bill heads to second reading with promises of more certainty and lower compliance costs, while the Crimes Amendment Bill moves through third reading aimed at restoring “real consequences” for offending. Workplace Safety: WorkSafe has released a new prequalification template to cut duplication and make contractor checks more consistent, especially for smaller firms. Health: Auckland is seeing its worst flu-related hospitalisations in a decade, with 177 admissions for severe respiratory illness in a recent week. Public Sector Pay: The Taxpayers’ Union is calling for a ban on council “golden handshakes” after a $100,000 payout in the Chathams. Business: Spark’s under-review digital services arm reported revenue down 3.4% to $372m, while the NZX says capital markets conditions remain mixed. Education/Community: The Greens pledge to restore and expand the school lunch programme with permanent funding if elected.