Pacific Diplomacy & Delivery: Cook Islands PM Mark Brown says Realm leaders meeting in Auckland must shift from pledges to deliverables, with action on climate resilience, regional cooperation and giving Pacific countries more say. Cook Islands Politics: Mark Brown is set to return as PM after the 2026 election, with the Cook Islands Party winning 13 seats and six independents boosting his incoming majority. Business & Skills: BTIB’s free Pa Enua business workshop returns to Mangaia (Sept 15–17) covering soft loans, UCI branding, business planning, costing/pricing, forecasting and bookkeeping. Local Economy & Crime: Police report a weekend spike in crime, including four burglaries and five stolen motorbikes across Rarotonga, with investigations ongoing. Governance Appointments: Three Permanent Secretaries were sworn in to key ministries, including Finance and Treasury, Police/National Security/Corrections, and Culture and Tourism. Offshore Minerals Watch: CIIC has partnered with US firm Wetstone for offshore mineral exploration, drawing criticism over the partner’s lack of technical track record. Community & Youth: Ruckstars junior rugby is expanding in the Cook Islands with support from the Australian High Commission and BSP, aiming to build skills and active lifestyles. US-Cook Islands Ties: US Ambassador Jared Novelly met Mark Brown to discuss ocean science, maritime security and economic opportunities.