Health System Under Strain: Budget 2026 promises record health funding, but analysis says it largely maintains “current health settings,” with austerity concerns and long-term vision missing. Aged Care Pressure: The Aged Care Association warns Budget 2026 missed a chance to stabilise residential care, saying mothballed beds will push more strain onto hospitals and families. Gas Market Transparency: Parliament passed the Gas (Market Transparency) Amendment Bill to improve access to timely, reliable gas reserve, production and demand data—aimed at better planning as supplies tighten. Climate & Nature Policy Shock: Parliament votes to scrap the standalone Environment Ministry, sparking outrage and debate over what comes next for environmental protection. Climate Action Gaps in Tourism: A new study finds only 89 climate-focused projects out of 842 tourism aid initiatives, with adaptation dominating and climate resilience underfunded. Pacific Climate Alarm: Samoa’s PM urges urgent global action ahead of the IPCC’s final synthesis report, warning low-lying communities face sovereignty loss and relocation. Biodiversity & Science: Colossal Biosciences claims progress toward hatching moa using a silicone “eggshell” system, as de-extinction science moves closer to reality. Energy & Emissions Data Support: Taiwan’s climate data work is backed via New Zealand’s Climate Smart Agriculture initiative, supporting greenhouse gas inventory validation.