Tourism Recognition: Cook Islands Tourism Corporation has named Jackey Tanga (Atiu Villas) as the 2026 Vaine Manava Tūroto o te Marama – Tourism Woman of the Month, celebrating her long-running behind-the-scenes work welcoming visitors to Atiu. Tourism Month Awards: Voting is now open for the 2026 Te Iki’anga a te Iti Tangata – People’s Choice Awards, with 25 finalists and Kia Orana Champions up for grabs after 464 nominations and 12,000+ votes in the first day. Connectivity & Pa Enua: A major NZ$101.5m plan for a safe, reliable wharf at Tongareva (Penrhyn) is set to be developed with US and NZ partners, with feasibility and technical work ahead—an important boost for northern island lifelines. US Port Talks: The US says any future military presence linked to the Penrhyn port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” while the upgrade itself is described as not a US base. Health & Travel Planning: The Te Marae Ora mammogram programme has screened 398 women on Rarotonga and flagged follow-up needs for repeat scans, ultrasounds and biopsies—highlighting ongoing health access for Pa Enua travellers. Pacific Travel Demand: Stats NZ shows record NZ-resident arrivals returning from the Cook Islands (118,000 in the year to July) and Tonga (30,000), underlining strong family and cultural travel links. Sports Tourism: The Cook Islands men’s national team returns home to Rarotonga to host Tahiti in two matches this weekend, marking a new era under coach Rhys Ruka. Netball Update: The Cook Islands netball side missed out on the 2027 World Cup after a 50–72 loss to Samoa in the Oceania qualifier. Climate Risk Watch: A report warns tropical diseases like malaria and dengue could become more viable in Auckland as conditions warm—relevant for Pacific travellers and health planning. Pacific Ocean Conservation: Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in grants to protect Pacific marine areas, including support for Cook Islands conservation and high-seas marine protected area work. Local Culture & Storytelling: NateJourneys has wrapped up a Cook Islands film series, with coastal visuals and soundscapes continuing to circulate through tourism and hospitality partners.