Funding Shock for Arts Sector: Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust says it has lost its main CNZ funding source beyond 2026, calling the decision “deeply disappointing” and warning it will review what it means for its future and the artists and communities it serves. Domestic Shipping Boost: MV Tuitui Moana is being hailed as a “lifeline” for the Pa Enua, delivering on the Cook Islands Domestic Shipping Roadmap promise of safer, more reliable inter-island service. Banking Disruption: Customers of a regional bank in the Cook Islands report online banking lockouts and security vulnerabilities after a manual password reset error; the bank says funds are safe. Realm of NZ Talks: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met with Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau leaders in Auckland for a “chance to talk” ahead of the Palau Pacific Islands Forum summit, with Mark Brown urging action over more promises. Deep-Sea Mining Risk: A new report warns Pacific governments, including the Cook Islands, could face costly investor-state disputes if they tighten environmental rules or change deep-sea mining plans. Local Business Skills: BTIB’s free Mangaia workshop returns Sept 15–17, focusing on soft loans, UCI branding, business planning, costing/pricing, forecasting and bookkeeping. Governance Update: Cook Islands election results set Mark Brown up for a fifth term with a strong parliamentary majority supported by six independents. Sports & Youth: A six-week school tennis programme is back across multiple Cook Islands schools, aiming to build participation and feed into national training pathways.