Film & Tourism Boost: Hollywood stars Jack Black and Jason Momoa have been filming in Thames, with the Thames-Coromandel District Mayor saying the production is already bringing “tens of thousands of dollars” into local spending and could spark longer-term visitor interest. Slow Travel Spotlight: A new piece argues New Zealand is ideal for “slow travel”, urging travellers to plan less and leave room for local discoveries. Science & Geology: A Taupō Volcanic Zone study looks at what drove the massive Whakamaru supereruption, using preserved deposits to unpack how such events unfold. Local Economy & Jobs: Rotorua’s central city is set for a major lift with a new $100m Law Courts project, after years of courthouse problems including black mould. Ocean Research: Two Argo floats have arrived in Wellington to join a global network measuring ocean conditions like salinity and temperature. Emergency Response Tech: Budget 2026 funding backs a shared national emergency management tech system to improve real-time coordination across agencies. Community & Safety: Police have arrested a person after a Mt Wellington shooting, following armed searches of a nearby property. Global Trade Watch: China’s crackdown on online foreign securities brokers raises concerns about liquidity and capital flight.