The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) raised its official cash rate (OCR) by 25 basis points to 2.75% from 2.5% on 2026-08-02, marking the second consecutive rate hike. ^[1] Netsafe, an online safety organization, reported that reports of scammers impersonating banks in New Zealand rose from 21 in July to 46 in August. ^[2] Delivereasy, a Kiwi delivery platform, has acquired the shuttered Foodprint app. ^[3] Foodprint, a food-rescue application operating in New Zealand, announced its closure in July after seven years in business. ^[4] OpenAI released new research indicating that 40% of New Zealanders use ChatGPT daily for quick answers and explanations on a myriad of topics. ^[5] New Zealand's consumer price index (CPI) rose 4.1% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, driven by surging oil and commodity prices due to the Iran war. ^[6] RBNZ Governor Anna Brerman said at a press conference on 2026-08-02 that further OCR increases are likely but the timing is uncertain because the effects of the two hikes already made need to be reviewed. ^[7] A scientific study reviewed research on events capable of causing planetary-scale damage, including nuclear wars, pandemics, and natural disasters. ^[8] Australia was highlighted as the nation with the best conditions to resist a crisis of such magnitude due to geographic isolation, abundant natural resources, and significant food production capacity. ^[9] The research authors stated that the study does not establish a definitive ranking nor determine a mathematical formula for the safest country. ^[10] The RBNZ's new projections left open the possibility of one more rate hike within the year, but indicated it would not rush to return to the neutral rate of 3% or above. ^[11] The study grouped these scenarios into three categories: reduction of sunlight, infrastructure collapse, and global biological risks. ^[12]