Travel Surge: Auckland Airport expects almost 15,500 international departures on 26 September, with outbound numbers now topping pre-pandemic levels for the September school-holiday rush; seat capacity is up too, with demand strong for destinations including the Cook Islands. Airfares & Costs: Stats NZ says international airfares rose 21.5% year-on-year to August, driven largely by jet fuel and higher aviation system charges—though Kiwis are still travelling. Deep Sea Mining Protest: Greenpeace activists occupied a New Zealand state-owned research vessel in Wellington, warning the ship’s work supports US-led plans to push deep sea mining in the Pacific from 2027. Cook Islands & China Diplomacy: The Cook Islands High Commission in Fiji hosted China’s BBNJ envoy, briefing on Beijing’s bid to host the permanent ocean governance secretariat. Planning Tool: LiDAR Cook Islands has gone live, giving detailed 3D mapping of land and near-shore areas to support future planning. Penrhyn WharF Claims Denied: The US ambassador says Washington is not discussing a military base at Penrhyn/Tongareva, describing security talks as focused on fisheries and narco-terrorism. Tourism Leadership: CITIC re-elected Liana Scott as president for 2026/27, prioritising workforce, policy reform, and keeping growth sustainable. Media Integrity: Cook Islands News editor Rashneel Kumar launched “Check Pacific” to tackle misinformation across the region. Sports & Community: Cook Islands men’s football squad named for historic Tahiti friendlies; Punanga Nui Market user surveys are underway; and the police service farewelled former commissioner Tevai Vaka Matapo.