Aitutaki Lagoon Plan: Aitutaki residents are pushing for stronger protection as the Lagoon Management Plan moves through public consultation, with a co-management approach built around ra’ui, refreshed island bylaws, and renewed compliance involving the Aitutaki Island Council, aronga mana, government agencies and police. Election Reminder: Cook Islands democracy is being framed as hinging on tiny margins, with columnist Thomas Wynne pointing to the 2022 election where seat outcomes swung on just a few votes and even overturned preliminary results. Cook Islands Māori Language Week: Tepaeru Minster says she “dreaded” Language Week after growing up in a generation that lost reo, highlighting identity, naming, and the challenge of keeping island dialects alive. Sovereignty at Sea: Debate continues around the U.S. Shiprider Agreement in the region, with critics arguing it risks selling sovereignty and others pointing to existing Pacific fisheries and surveillance frameworks. Voyaging Update: The Moananuiākea Voyage by Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia has been extended a year due to higher El Niño-driven weather risks, reshaping stops across the Pacific. Waste and Incineration: Te Ipukarea Society argues incineration is not the answer for Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, citing scale and the practical limits of running modern facilities on small waste streams. Tourism Support: A new digital programme, Te Pa’ata, is helping holiday home owners strengthen resilient tourism businesses with practical tools and expert guidance.