Aitutaki Lagoon Plan Update: Aitutaki residents are pushing for stronger protection of the lagoon as the Lagoon Management Plan consultation continues, with a co-management approach that centres ra’ui, refreshes island bylaws and ramps up compliance involving government, police, tourism partners and community leaders. Waste and Plastics Debate: Te Ipukarea Society argues incineration is not the answer for Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, saying small island waste streams can’t support the scale and controls modern incinerators require, while plastics remain highly visible and vulnerable to escaping into waterways. Travel Rules Easing: Cook Islands travel regulations are softening, including switching from PCR to supervised RATs for travellers from New Zealand, removing MIQ requirements for unvaccinated residents and easing quarantine/isolation steps in line with NZ changes. Health Notices: The CDC has refreshed dengue travel notices, updating which countries are listed for risk, while also maintaining chikungunya guidance for parts of Costa Rica. Safety Reminder for Visitors: Cook Islands Police report six rescues from rough waters at Rutaki Passage after a tourist was swept into the current, urging locals and visitors to heed warning signs. Tourism Support for Holiday Homes: A digital support programme, Te Pa’ata, is being promoted to help Cook Islands holiday home operators strengthen and build more resilient tourism businesses. Northern Group Diplomacy: Australia’s High Commissioner Susannah Hodson completed historic first visits to Pukapuka and Nassau, supporting community projects including sports facilities and equipment. Deep-Sea Mining Data Push: NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer is running ROV dives in Cook Islands waters as the deep-sea mining regulator again fails to adopt a mining code, citing missing baseline environmental science.