NZDF on Penrhyn: More than 50 NZ Defence Force personnel are working with the Tongareva/Penrhyn community on infrastructure, health, water storage and lagoon surveying under Exercise Tropic Twilight, including repairs to school and hospital facilities, solar water stills and dental support. Fiji HIV emergency: Fiji has declared a national HIV emergency after a sharp rise in new infections; WHO says the move should speed up free testing, prevention and treatment, including PrEP and harm-reduction for people who inject drugs. Cook Islands NCD pressure: A letter to the editor highlights the scale of non-communicable disease in the Cook Islands, calling out high obesity and diabetes rates, poor oral health, and urging stronger local health funding and staffing equity beyond Rarotonga. Mangaia flying-fox debate: Mangaia’s brief reopening of the rā‘ui on moā kirikiri (flying foxes) has renewed questions about whether hunting can be sustained without reliable counts and monitoring. Seabird conservation learning: Cook Islands seabird monitoring representatives attended the World Seabird Conference in Hobart, focusing on protecting nesting seabirds and restoration efforts for atolls. Regional social protection: UN DESA urges Pacific countries to strengthen social protection systems to reduce poverty and improve resilience to climate and economic shocks, noting coverage gaps across the region.