RBNZ & Finance Infrastructure: The Reserve Bank has approved the first non-bank member, Nelson Building Society, to join its Exchange Settlement Account System, letting approved non-banks settle payments directly in central bank money. Regulation & Governance: Financial Markets Authority chief executive Samantha Barrass will leave when her term ends in January 2027, after the board agreed her suspension ends as she returns to the UK and a governance course. Tourism Funding Fight: National says it will rule out a bed tax but still funnel about $385m over four years from the international visitor levy to councils, with conservation and a “tourism priorities” fund carved out first. Local Safety: Auckland Transport warns drivers not to scan QR codes on parking meters after scam stickers appeared; AT says it doesn’t use QR codes for parking payments. Food & Cost of Living: The Green Party backs a publicly owned “KiwiMart” to tackle supermarket pricing, while a child poverty advocate calls for an MSD apology after thousands were told food wasn’t an essential need due to an admin error. Major Events & Food Safety: Government will back the 2028 PSA Squash World Championships in Auckland with $1m, and free online food safety basics modules have reached thousands of workers. Border Crime: Customs arrested a British man at Auckland Airport after finding 16.8kg of meth worth about $5m, and he allegedly punched two officers. Roads: Transport Minister Chris Bishop announces a $740m state highway renewal programme for the summer construction season.