Visa policy & travel links: Labour is promising to expand New Zealand visa-waiver travel for citizens of Pacific Islands Forum nations, aiming to cut costs and paperwork for Pacific families visiting for weddings, funerals and other key cultural moments. Tourism demand: Stats NZ shows record New Zealand-resident travel back from the Cook Islands (118,000 arrivals in the year to July) and Tonga (30,000), highlighting strong VFR demand and a growing Pacific tourism share. Financial services boom: A Cook Islands Government report says international trust registrations are up 42% year-on-year to a record 433, nearly 90% higher than two years ago, driven largely by US demand for asset protection trusts—pushing growth in compliance, identity and cybersecurity services. Local business & transport: Rarotonga’s new app-based ride-hailing service Smartie Rides launches, spotlighting gaps in the 1967 Transport Licensing Act for vehicle-sharing platforms. Governance & delivery: Cook Islands PM Mark Brown flags cost of living and housing as top priorities in the first 100 days, including a cost-of-living review and progress on a National Housing Strategy 2030. Community & reputation: Nikao Cemetery in Rarotonga was vandalised, with volunteers preparing a working bee to repair damaged graves and headstones. Regional capacity building: More than 50 NZDF personnel are in Penrhyn for Exercise Tropic Twilight, delivering construction, health and hydrography support. Skills & training: Cook Islanders have returned from China after a deep-sea resource management programme run with the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority.