Wellington storm response: A state of emergency and evacuations were ordered for parts of Wellington’s south coast as swells hit up to 11.6m and winds gusted to 129km/h, with ferry and flight cancellations and road closures; the local emergency was later lifted in southern and eastern wards, but officials warned another heavy swell was still due. Auckland biosecurity checks: Auckland Airport’s detector dog Sophie found undeclared food in luggage and on crew, leading to $400 infringement fines for three pilots and a passenger carrying items including salad, fruit and betel nuts/banana leaves. World Cup travel disruption: Iran says its World Cup ticket allocation was withdrawn days before the tournament, leaving fans who planned travel unable to attend, as the wider build-up continues amid ticketing and access controversy. All Blacks Nations Championship fixtures: Dave Rennie’s first campaign is set to begin with matches against France, Italy and Ireland, with squad details to follow later this month. Tourism costs watch: A “tourist tax” trend is spreading, with Amsterdam proposing higher visitor levies—another reminder that accommodation and entry fees can shape holiday budgets. Travel gear for Kiwis: Tessan pre-launched the thin Tessan Aero 70 smart travel adapter with multi-country plug options and a display for charging power.