Te Maeva Nui Opening & Culture: Avarua kicked off Te Maeva Nui with a vibrant float parade, drawing locals, tourists and international groups and spotlighting the theme “Taku Ui Ariki – E papa ngaueuekore ia noku,” alongside the House of Ariki’s 60th anniversary. Tourism Business Support: Te Pa’ata is rolling out as a digital support programme for Cook Islands holiday home operators, offering practical info, expert advice and tools to strengthen resilience. Travel Rules Eased: Cook Islands travel restrictions are softening for arrivals from New Zealand, with supervised RATs replacing PCRs and MIQ no longer required for unvaccinated residents. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: Te Ipukarea Society and the Seabed Minerals Authority briefed the tourism industry on deep seabed mining, urging caution, clarity and national dialogue. Safety at Rutaki Passage: Police report six rescues after a tourist was swept into Rutaki Passage; warnings stress heeding signs due to serious risk to swimmers and rescuers. Health Notice Update: The CDC updated its dengue destination list, with the Cook Islands appearing on the earlier list but not the latest revised one—risk can still persist even when lists change. Diplomacy & Connectivity: The Cook Islands’ new High Commissioner to Fiji, Michael Henry, presented credentials as both countries push faster delivery on a 2023 development cooperation deal. Northern Group Visits: Australia’s High Commissioner Susannah Hodson made historic first visits to Pukapuka and Nassau, supporting sport and community projects. Sports Spotlight: Cook Islands athletes are set for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, including swimming Jacob Story and lawn bowls players, while OFC Men’s Champions League fixtures in Fiji include Cook Islands opponents.