Breast Screening Update: The Cook Islands’ free mammogram programme reached its target even though Rarotonga Hospital’s mammogram machine had technical problems, with the NSW BreastScreen Australia team helping deliver services from July 2026. Hospital Care & Mental Health: A coroner’s findings into Blake Williams’ death say there were shortcomings in hospital treatment, after years of anxiety, depression and panic attacks that ended in drug toxicity at age 26. Deep-Sea Health & Environment: Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) has raised Cook Islands concerns about deep-seabed mining at the International Seabed Authority, opposing a US company’s exploration push in the South Penrhyn Basin. Bird Flu Watch: Pacific governments have asked New Zealand for guidance on H5 avian influenza as it spreads in Australia and New Zealand, with the main risk flagged as impacts on threatened seabirds. Policy & Environment Reform: New Zealand’s Natural Environment Bill moved to second reading, with committee changes aimed at clearer rules and lower compliance costs while keeping the planning system’s core structure. Public Health & Governance Context: A Cook Islands election analysis highlights low voter turnout as a wider “health of democracy” concern, which can affect how health and welfare priorities get delivered.