AGP Executive Report

Fuel Crisis in the Pacific: Pacific leaders are coordinating under the Biketawa Declaration as fuel shocks strain island economies, with emergency conservation steps already underway in places like the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Fiji. Tourism & Border Rules: The Cook Islands says future visitors aged 12+ must be fully vaccinated when travel bubble arrangements resume, with medical exemptions only. Ocean Research: Climate Change Cook Islands has launched an ocean monitoring voyage using the Kaharoa II to build a baseline for climate impacts and plastic pollution around the northern group. Local Economy & Business Rights: PM Mark Brown clarified that permanent residents have equal business rights with Cook Islanders, while foreign nationals need approval to operate. Health Focus: A letter urges urgent action on non-communicable diseases, calling for easier healthy choices, tougher scrutiny of unhealthy product promotion, and stronger links between health and food security. Search & Rescue: A fisherman missing for a week from Pukapuka was found alive by an RNZAF Poseidon crew and recovered by nearby fishing vessels. Sports: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad’s four-try haul helped the Warriors beat the Cowboys 30-28, though an injury to forward Jackson Ford casts a shadow.

Public Health: A letter urges urgent action after Cook Islands ranks among the world’s worst for non-communicable diseases, calling for easier healthy choices, limits on promotion of unhealthy products, and stronger links between health and local food growing. Local Politics & Business: PM Mark Brown says permanent residents have equal business rights with Cook Islanders, while foreign nationals need approval to operate legally amid local competition concerns. Climate & Oceans: Climate Change Cook Islands launches an ocean research voyage on the Kaharoa II to build a baseline for future climate impacts, including plastic pollution sampling. Tourism & Border Policy: The government says future tourists aged 12+ must be fully vaccinated, with limited exemptions, as it keeps borders closed to quarantine-free travel until confident there’s no community transmission. Search & Rescue: A Pukapuka fisherman missing for a week was found alive by RNZAF after being spotted in a small skiff, with family describing overwhelming relief. Regional Economy: PM Brown says record visitor numbers have helped avoid a worst-case GDP downturn tied to global fuel shocks. Education & Culture: USP marks major graduation moments, including tribute to King Tupou VI as Chancellor, while Te Ipukarea Society celebrates 30 years of environmental stewardship.

Tourism & Economy: Prime Minister Mark Brown says the Cook Islands has dodged a feared GDP hit, pointing to record visitor numbers and growth despite global oil shocks tied to the Strait of Hormuz reopening. Border Policy: The government says future tourists aged 12+ must be fully vaccinated for Covid-19, with limited exemptions, and borders won’t reopen for quarantine-free travel until there’s confidence of no community transmission. Search & Rescue: A Pukapuka fisherman missing for more than a week was found alive by an RNZAF P-8A Poseidon crew, waving in a small aluminium skiff; nearby vessels recovered him, bringing relief to his family and island community. Environment: Te Ipukarea Society marks 30 years of environmental stewardship, taking students from Apii Takitumu to the landfill and Takitumu Conservation Area to highlight waste sorting gaps and the need for continued action. Culture & Education: USP’s Cook Islands graduation paid tribute to Chancellor King Tupou VI, while Cook Islands Māori Language Week launches a poetry and short story competition with an expanded theme to boost Reo Māori entries. Regional Security: Pacific experts warn transnational crime is now an established threat, calling for stronger community and regional cooperation to tackle drug trafficking and digital crime.

Search and Rescue: A Pukapuka fisherman, believed to be 42-year-old Pone Apiuta, was found alive after more than a week adrift in a 4-metre skiff, spotted by an RNZAF Poseidon crew and recovered by nearby fishing vessels—bringing relief to his family and community. Tourism Policy: The Cook Islands says it will only accept fully vaccinated tourists aged 12+ when travel bubble arrangements resume, with medical exemptions and a continued cautious approach to reopening. Environment: Te Ipukarea Society marks 30 years of stewardship, taking Grade 5 and 6 students from Apii Takitumu to the landfill and Takitumu Conservation Area to highlight waste sorting and biodiversity. Cyber Safety: Cook Islands Police Cybercrime Unit and NZ specialists ran a cyber safety roadshow for Tereora College Year 10 students. Culture & Learning: USP Cook Islands graduation celebrated 36 graduates, while Māori Language Week (June 29–July 5) includes a poetry and short story competition with an extended, broadened theme.

Tourism & Border Rules: The Cook Islands says it will only accept vaccinated tourists aged 12+ when travel bubble quarantine-free travel resumes, with exemptions only for medical certificates and New Zealand expected to be at Covid Alert Level 1. Search and Rescue: A Pukapuka fisherman missing for a week was found alive by an RNZAF Poseidon crew, waving from a small skiff before nearby vessels recovered him—bringing relief to his family and island community. Youth & Safety Online: Cook Islands Police Cybercrime Unit and visiting NZ specialists held a cyber safety roadshow for Year 10 students at Tereora College. Environment & Waste: Te Ipukarea Society marks 30 years of stewardship, taking Grade 5 and 6 students to the landfill and Takitumu Conservation Area to show the scale of waste problems and the need for better sorting. Education & Culture: USP Cook Islands graduation celebrated 36 graduates, while a columnist reflects on tivaivai as a “stitched” community effort. Sports: Cook Islands athletes and officials were honoured at CISNOC Sports Awards, with Aquatics a standout.

Search and Rescue: A Pukapuka fisherman, believed to be 42-year-old Pone Apiuta, was found alive after more than a week adrift in a small 4m aluminium skiff, spotted by an RNZAF P-8A Poseidon crew in the northern Cook Islands; nearby fishing vessels were able to pick him up, bringing relief to his family and community. Tourism Policy: The Cook Islands says it will only accept fully vaccinated tourists aged 12+ when travel bubble arrangements resume, with medical certificate exemptions, and it will keep borders closed to quarantine-free travel until it’s confident there’s no community transmission. Culture and Language: Māori Language Week (Te Epetoma o te Reo Māori Kuki Airani 2026) runs June 29–July 5, with a poetry and short story competition now broadened to any topic that supports Reo Māori revitalisation. Environment: Te Ipukarea Society marks its 30th anniversary, celebrating three decades of conservation advocacy and community environmental work. Regional Security: Cook Islands Health Secretary Bob Williams urged a tougher, more coordinated Pacific response to drug trafficking, warning the crisis often starts in families and villages long before police see cases.

Search and Rescue: A Cook Islands fisherman from Pukapuka, 42-year-old Pone Apiuta, was found alive after a week missing at sea in a 4m aluminium skiff, spotted by an RNZAF P-8A Poseidon crew and recovered by nearby fishing vessels; his partner and family say they feared the worst but “never gave up,” with a brief phone call bringing overwhelming relief. Sports: Cook Islands is named among the teams competing at the Oceania Sevens in Fiji next month, with Samoa’s Manusina Sevens also set for the Olympic qualifier. Culture & Language: Reo Māori Kuki Airani 2026 language week is underway, with a Māori poetry and short story competition now open on any theme promoting language revitalisation, with entries due by June 22. Environment: Te Ipukarea Society marks 30 years of conservation advocacy, education and environmental watchdog work, with a community event planned tonight. Regional Security: Cook Islands Health Secretary Bob Williams urges a tougher, coordinated Pacific response to drug trafficking that links health, prevention and community support with enforcement.

Maritime Rescue: A fisherman missing for a week off the northern Cook Islands has been found alive by an RNZAF P-8A Poseidon crew, waving from his 13-foot rowboat near Pukapuka after leaving on June 11 for a day’s fishing. Public Safety & Health: Cook Islands Health Secretary Bob Williams says the Pacific needs a tougher, more coordinated response to drug trafficking, arguing health, peace and security must be tackled together. Regional Security: Law enforcement and health leaders at the Pacific Peace and Security Dialogue warned transnational crime is now coordinated across borders, using digital methods that are hard to trace. Sport & Community: CISNOC Sports Awards in Rarotonga celebrated athletes, coaches and officials, with Cook Islands Aquatics taking major honours. Diplomacy: Tonga’s King Tupou VI received a traditional Cook Islands welcome in Rarotonga ahead of his role presiding over the USP graduation for 73 graduands. Ocean Stewardship: Aitutaki students are training as “Water Guardians,” combining marine science with cultural practice to protect the lagoon and tackle crown-of-thorns starfish. Regional Fisheries: The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority shared its seabed minerals vision in New Zealand, building partnerships for sustainable development.

Search-and-Rescue: RNZAF’s P-8A Poseidon crew has found a solo fisherman missing for a week west of Pukapuka, after he was reported overdue and believed to have minimal safety gear. Regional Security & Health: Cook Islands Secretary of Health Bob Williams urged a tougher, coordinated Pacific response to drug trafficking that links health, prevention, harm reduction and community support—not just police action. Maritime Surveillance: Operation Ika Moana is back after a five-year pause, reviving Pacific-led joint maritime surveillance that helps coordinate monitoring across members’ EEZs. Public Safety: Cook Islands Police are warning travellers about vaping breaches at Rarotonga International Airport, with up to three incidents a month and possible stronger enforcement. Community & Culture: Cook Islands welcomed His Majesty King Tupou VI of Tonga with a traditional pa’ata ceremony ahead of USP graduation, highlighting close Polynesian ties. Health Alert (Regional): Hawai‘i reported a travel-related dengue case on Oʻahu; officials say local transmission risk is low but urge standing-water removal. Sports: Cook Islands’ KL Iro marked 50 NRL games and returned home to inspire the next generation.

Cook Islands–Tonga Diplomacy: King Tupou VI arrived in Rarotonga for an official visit as Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, with a traditional pa’ata welcome and a USP graduation ceremony on Thursday for 73 graduands. Public Health: Hawai‘i health officials reported a new travel-related dengue case on Oʻahu involving a visitor; authorities say local spread risk is low but are urging people to remove standing water to cut mosquito breeding. Regional Security & Drugs: Cook Islands Health Secretary Bob Williams called for a tougher, more coordinated Pacific response to drug trafficking, arguing health, prevention and community support must be treated as part of peace and security. Local Governance & Culture: A historic bill would formally set how Ariki titles are governed and how disputes are handled through customary frameworks rather than courts. Environment & Youth: Aitutaki students are blending tradition and marine science to protect the lagoon, including training to remove invasive crown-of-thorns starfish. Law & Order: Police say vaping breaches at Rarotonga International Airport continue, with offenders facing increased scrutiny and enforcement. Fisheries Cooperation: Cabinet endorsed an MOU to strengthen sustainable management of South Pacific albacore tuna among Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa and Tonga.

Public Health: Hawai‘i health officials report a new travel-related dengue case on O‘ahu, with the visitor not counted in the state total and local transmission risk expected to be low—still, they’re urging people to remove standing water and protect against mosquito bites. Local Justice: A Fijian businessman in the Cook Islands has been charged with multiple counts of assault after police arrested him and issued a Police Safety Order earlier to de-escalate the dispute. Regional Security & Drugs: Cook Islands Health Secretary Bob Williams calls for a tougher, more coordinated Pacific response to drug trafficking, arguing health, climate, peace and security must be treated together, not separately. Traditional Governance: Parliament is set to introduce the Ngamaru Ariki Incorporation Bill 2026, aiming to resolve chiefly title succession disputes through customary structures rather than the courts. Community & Environment: Aitutaki youth are using traditional knowledge plus marine science to protect the lagoon, including reef work targeting invasive crown-of-thorns starfish. Airport Rules: Police warn vaping breaches at Rarotonga International Airport are still happening and could bring tougher enforcement. Diplomacy: Cook Islands welcomed King Tupou VI of Tonga to Rarotonga for the USP Graduation Ceremony.

Local Justice: A Christchurch District Court jailed McGregor-Tuirirangi for 31 months for a brutal home assault that left a woman injured and included attacks witnessed by her children. Regional Security & Cost of Living: Pacific leaders in Suva warned the fuel crisis is now an economic security threat, pushing inflation and higher transport costs, and called for stronger regional cooperation and energy resilience. Fisheries Cooperation: Cabinet endorsed an MoU to strengthen sustainable management of South Pacific albacore tuna, bringing Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa and Tonga closer for science-based advocacy and negotiations. Border Protection: US Homeland Security Investigations trained Cook Islands Customs and donated drug test kits to boost enforcement against transnational crime. Aviation & Tourism: Hawaiian Airlines unveiled the first of three “Moana” aircraft liveries, including a design on an A321neo route linking Hawaiʻi, the US West Coast and the Cook Islands. Health Alert: Dengue activity remains elevated across the Pacific, with the Cook Islands among locations reporting cases. Governance & Culture: A historic bill would reshape how Ariki titles are governed and how disputes are handled through customary frameworks. Sports Spotlight: Cook Islands NRL star KL Iro marked his 50th NRL game milestone and returned home to inspire the next generation.

Regional Fisheries: The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency has opened nominations for Cohort 12 of its Certificate IV in Fisheries Enforcement and Compliance, with scholarships for frontline officers across Cook Islands and other member states, starting 7 September 2026. Tuna Cooperation: Cabinet endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen sustainable management of South Pacific albacore tuna, bringing Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Samoa and Tonga closer on science-based fisheries and regional negotiations. Health Alert: Dengue activity remains elevated across the Pacific, with outbreaks reported in American Samoa, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu, and Cook Islands among locations seeing cases. Energy Security: Pacific leaders warned the fuel crisis is now an economic security threat, urging stronger supply chains and faster energy transition. Climate Watch: SPREP says El Niño conditions are established, with Western Pacific likely to turn drier and higher drought risk, while the Northern Cook Islands may see above-normal rainfall. Local Safety: MFEM is funding 10 new electric motorbikes for Rarotonga community safety and monitoring, aiming to cut petrol use and improve response times. Sports & Culture: HBO Max launched across New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Tokelau, and a Cook Islands producer says it’s a chance for Pacific storytellers to push for more local content.

Ariki Succession Reform: Parliament clerk Tangata Vainerere says the Ngamaru Ariki Incorporation Bill 2026 would be the first law to formally put House of Ariki resolutions into practice, aiming to settle traditional title disputes through customary succession rules instead of the courts. Community Safety Boost: The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management says 10 new electric motorbikes are being provided to local Puna for community safety and monitoring around Rarotonga, funded with support from China to cut petrol use and speed up response. Border Enforcement Upgrade: US Homeland Security Investigations officers visited Cook Islands Customs to deliver training and donate drug test kits, as officials warn transnational crime targets the “weakest link.” Health & Environment: A New Zealand Medical Journal report links a rare bloodstream infection in a Cook Islands visitor to a marine bacterium after the man ate raw fish. Sports Spotlight: Cook Islands Aitu star KL Iro marked his 50th NRL game and returned home for the Cook Islands Sports Awards, sharing gratitude and a push to inspire the next generation. Regional Climate Watch: SPREP says El Niño conditions are established, with Western Pacific likely drier and Northern Cook Islands expecting above-normal rainfall.

Commonwealth Games: Fiji, Niue and Vanuatu have named their squads for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games starting 23 July, with Fiji leading so far with 58 athletes across eight sports. Regional diplomacy: Pacific Islands Forum leaders have issued a global appeal for peace, urging world leaders to uphold the UN Charter and choose dialogue as tensions rise. Climate watch: SPREP says El Niño conditions are now established, warning Western Pacific countries to plan for drier-than-usual conditions and higher drought risk, while parts of the region may still see above-normal rainfall. Cook Islands health & community: Te Ipukarea Society and partners ran a menstrual health session at Tereora College, promoting reusable options to cut waste and costs; CIFWA and Te Marae Ora are also continuing free cervical screening outreach in Rarotonga. Border security: US Homeland Security Investigations trained Cook Islands Customs and donated drug test kits to strengthen enforcement. Sports (local): Cook Islands’ U19 campaign continues in Rarotonga’s OFC qualifying tournament after a 4-1 win over Tonga, with a must-win clash against PNG next. Public safety (health scare): A rare marine-bacteria infection in a NZ man has been linked to a Cook Islands trip.

Pacific Peace Push: Pacific Islands Forum leaders, including Cook Islands, have issued a global appeal for peace, urging world leaders to uphold the UN Charter and choose dialogue as tensions rise. El Niño Watch: SPREP says El Niño conditions are now established, with Western Pacific countries likely facing drier conditions and higher drought risk, while parts of the Northern Cook Islands may see above-normal rainfall. Local Safety & Transport: The Cook Islands government, with support from China, has provided 10 electric motorbikes to local Puna for community safety and monitoring in Rarotonga, aiming to cut petrol use and speed up response. Customs Crackdown Support: US Homeland Security Investigations trained Cook Islands Customs officers and donated drug test kits to strengthen border enforcement. Health & Prevention: A cervical screening outreach continues across Rarotonga with free clinics, including a Kavera clinic today. Sports & Community: Cook Islands’ U19 campaign continues in Rarotonga’s OFC qualifying tournament, while Vaka TV will stream selected FIFA World Cup matches for local fans. Moana in the Skies: Hawaiian Airlines unveiled the first of three “Moana” aircraft liveries, including an A321neo route connecting Hawaiʻi with the Cook Islands.