Critical Minerals & Geopolitics: U.S. Ambassador Jared Novelly says securing Cook Islands seabed minerals is now a top priority, placing the issue at “1A or 1B” and warning Niue and other Pacific states about China’s growing influence and potential “debt traps,” as Washington seeks to diversify supply chains for defence and clean-energy industries. Fisheries Governance: The 25th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting in Wellington wrapped up with a communiqué and a leadership handover, with Niue’s outgoing chair Mona Ainu’u thanked and New Zealand’s Shane Jones taking the 2026–2027 chair role, keeping regional cooperation on track. Tourism Skills & Data: The Pacific Tourism Organisation finished a five-day Pacific Tourism Data Initiative workshop in Nadi, training tourism officers from Niue and other islands in survey analysis and report writing to strengthen evidence-based tourism planning. Regional Security Values: Pacific Elders urged Pacific-led security and regional institutions that protect sovereignty, transparency, and equal decision-making amid rising geopolitical competition. Tokelau Administration: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters named Andre van der Walt as the next Administrator of Tokelau, with a focus on climate resilience, governance, and services including renewable energy.