Employment & penalties: SSM Investments Ltd and owner Shazneen Shariza Khan were fined $130,000 by the Employment Relations Authority for exploiting five workers, after earlier wage-arrears orders totalling $147,001. Digital marketing spend: A New Zealand-focused commentary warns that most online ads fail to earn meaningful attention, arguing businesses risk overspending on digital if they don’t measure real engagement. Tax fairness debate: A piece asks “Who’s carrying NZ’s tax load?”, pointing to heavier reliance on income tax and GST while capital gains and wealth receive lighter treatment. Cyber security push: Revolution InfoSec is rolling out SecurityCentral to help business leaders manage cyber risk in plain business terms, with partner-friendly reselling. Youth job support pressure: Labour and Greens warn Jobseeker rule changes could hit Pacific families hardest, with 18- and 19-year-olds facing a parental assistance test. Energy & jobs: Simeon Brown says an LNG terminal remains “critically important” after Methanex’s Taranaki shutdown and Māui gas decline raise supply and employment concerns. Housing & rates: The Reserve Bank lifted the OCR to 2.75%, with commentary split on how much will flow through to mortgage rates and what it means for the housing market. Climate adaptation: A leading IPCC author warns Aotearoa must shift from climate talk to building resilience into farms, cities and infrastructure as the 1.5°C risk grows. Hospitality roadmap: The 2026 Hospitality Summit produced 13 more recommendations on employment, alcohol policy, data/compliance and skills. Building industry awards: BIF NZ launches “Best in Build”, the first awards programme for the building supply chain. Transport & logistics risk: National Council of Logistics Fellows urges freight operators to prepare for sustained El Niño-driven volatility. Regional infrastructure: Gisborne’s historic rail bridge is set to become a pedestrian walkway, with works due to start in October.