Climate & Ocean Resilience Funding: Niue has locked in a US$9m (NZ$11m) five-year package to boost climate resilience, protect its ocean space, and upgrade key infrastructure through the Niue IECI project with UNDP and Conservation International, anchored by the Niue Nukutuluea Multiple-Use Marine Park and supported by the Niue and Ocean Wide (NOW) Trust for longer-term conservation funding. Critical Minerals Diplomacy: US ambassador Jared Novelly says securing Cook Islands seabed critical minerals is now a top priority, warning Pacific states about China’s growing influence and potential “debt traps,” as Washington pushes supply-chain diversification for defence and clean energy. Regional Fisheries Governance: The 25th Forum Fisheries Committee Ministerial Meeting wrapped in Wellington, with Niue’s ministerial leadership noted and priorities set for the next cycle under incoming chair Shane Jones, reinforcing regional cooperation on fisheries management. Tourism Skills & Data: The Pacific Tourism Organisation delivered a NZ-funded Pacific Tourism Data Initiative workshop in Nadi, training tourism officers from Niue and others to use stronger survey and analytics for evidence-based tourism planning. Tokelau Administration: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced Andre van der Walt as the next Administrator of Tokelau, with a focus on resilience, governance, and sectors including renewable energy and transport. Culture & Creative Industry: A short documentary on Cook Islands artist Ta’i Paitai, supported by the Tupumaiaga a Niue Trust, has been selected for the New Zealand International Film Festival, spotlighting weaving as identity and contemporary culture.