CITES Crackdown: New Zealand’s Department of Conservation says more than 4.6 tonnes of protected corals and clams were seized over three and a half years, with thousands of travellers bringing items home without the required permits—highlighting ongoing compliance gaps for Pacific holiday hotspots like the Cook Islands. Election Watch: The Cook Islands General Election is set for Wednesday, 12 August, with Parliament entering caretaker mode ahead of the poll. Census Countdown: The 2026 Census “Reference Day” is July 1, with enumerators visiting households from June 24 to July 24 to guide future planning and policy. Pa Enua Funding Debate: Letters raise concerns that investment across outer islands is uneven, questioning whether projects like Pa Enua barge plans are delivering fair value and long-term support. Deep-Sea Mining Risk: New reports warn deep-sea mining could mobilise naturally occurring radioactive materials into marine food chains, adding another regulatory and scientific risk as the industry pushes toward commercial activity. Disaster Readiness: Cook Islands logistics officers joined a Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing training in Brisbane to strengthen how relief supplies are procured, stored and dispatched during disasters. Digital Economy Support: MFEM is rolling out “Te Pa’ata” to improve digital financial literacy and e-payment confidence for holiday home operators, targeting barriers faced with online travel platforms. Aitutaki Harbour Deadline: Deputy Prime Minister Albert Nicholas has set CIIC an ultimatum to complete the Arutanga Harbour project within the next fiscal year or at CIIC’s own cost.