Elections Watch: Opposition parties say they’re not forming any pre-election coalitions ahead of the 12 August 2026 general election, while the Cook Islands Party is counting on continued support from independents; with 63 candidates in total, CIP fields 20, the United Party 14, the Democratic Party 12, plus 12 independents and others, and a 13-seat majority needed to govern. Voting Rights Debate (NZ): New Zealand First’s “Citizens Only” push would strip voting rights from permanent residents, with Winston Peters arguing it’s about commitment to New Zealand citizenship and pointing to Pacific countries including the Cook Islands that restrict voting to citizens. Travel & Health (Cook Islands): PM Mark Brown announces easing of COVID travel rules: RATs under supervision replace PCRs for travellers from NZ, MIQ is dropped, and unvaccinated residents can enter without quarantine requirements. Tourism Support: Te Pa’ata is rolling out as a digital support programme for holiday home operators, offering practical tools and expert advice to strengthen resilience and business performance. Deep-Sea Mining Pressure: A US-backed deep-sea exploration proposal involving the Cook Islands is open for public comment until 3 August, as Pacific groups urge submissions while international mining rules remain unresolved. Commonwealth Games (Pacific): Cook Islands’ Max Teuruaa is in the men’s decathlon, while the Cook Islands’ Samasoni Mose Hewitt reached the high jump final; Fiji’s Taniela Rainibogi won weightlifting gold and Pacific medals continue to roll in.