Diplomacy & Trade: Cook Islands High Commissioner-designate Michael Henry met Fiji’s High Commissioner Ratu Inoke Kubuabola in Auckland to strengthen bilateral cooperation, with a clear focus on boosting business and trade, improving aviation links and deepening people-to-people ties. Election & Youth Policy: The National Youth Council’s Kai Vānanga no te Uki o Āpōpō brought candidates to Titikaveka and Ngatangiia, with youth pushing for better balance between tourism-driven growth and protecting land, culture, and the environment. Public Safety & Funding: Australia handed over two new Toyota Landcruiser SUVs to Cook Islands Police under the Oa Tumanava Partnership, supporting frontline operations and community engagement. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: Te Ipukarea Society warned that deep-sea mining could release naturally occurring radioactive particles from polymetallic nodules, raising concerns for marine life and the food basket as election pressure to greenlight DSM grows. Ocean Baseline Work: A month-long expedition is building the first baseline of ocean conditions across the Cook Islands EEZ, measuring temperatures, currents, seafloor changes and microplastics to track climate impacts on livelihoods. Local Business Milestone: Paradise Supplies marked 10 years since starting from a shipping container and a small vehicle, now running an online ordering platform handling 600+ orders a month. Politics & Finance: Former finance secretary Sholan Ivaiti is contesting the Titikaveka seat, while Chris Denny is standing for the Progressive Party with a prevention-and-accountability health focus.