Tourism Border Rules: The Cook Islands says all future visitors aged 12+ must be fully vaccinated before entry, with medical exemptions only; it also won’t resume quarantine-free travel from New Zealand until it’s confident there’s no community transmission and NZ is at Alert Level 1, while the islands stay at Alert Level 2 until 14 days without community spread. Financial Services Leadership: Apex Advice has appointed former Fidelity Life executive Bronwyn Kirwan as its new CEO, taking over from Craig Mulholland; Apex has nine offices including one in the Cook Islands and 42 financial advisers. Environment & Waste: Te Ipukarea Society marks 30 years of environmental stewardship and took Grade 5–6 students from Apii Takitumu to the Rarotonga landfill and Takitumu Conservation Area, highlighting waste sorting problems and the need for better home, business and tourism practices. Health & Regional Security: Cook Islands Secretary of Health Bob Williams urged a tougher, more coordinated Pacific response to drug trafficking, arguing health, climate, peace and security must be tackled together. Local Governance & Markets: A letter raises concerns that chairs were removed without notice at the new $10m Te Tapora Kai market, leaving vendors—many pensioners—without seating for weekly trading. Regional Fisheries Cooperation: Cabinet endorsed an MoU to strengthen sustainable management of South Pacific albacore tuna, bringing together Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa and Tonga for shared advocacy and negotiations. Business & Trade Context: A Pacific-wide push is underway to meet EU tuna freezing rules, with officials training on onboard refrigeration requirements to protect access to the EU market. Sports & Community: Cook Islands beach handball is set for its senior world championship debut in Croatia after qualifying via Oceania results.