AGP Executive Report

Dengue risk for travellers: Samoa is facing a dengue fever outbreak, and Australian and New Zealand travel advisories are urging people to prevent mosquito bites with repellent and protective clothing, after thousands of confirmed cases and hospitalisations were reported across the Pacific. Breast cancer support in the Cook Islands community: The Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s Beehive Ball in Wellington is set to bring major entertainers together to raise funds for a cause that can save lives. Breast screening access for Cook Islands women: Stars are uniting to help Cook Islands women get access to life-saving breast screening. Heart health study rooted in culture: A Cook Islands Māori PhD researcher at the University of Otago is exploring whether bathing in naturally warm lagoon waters could support heart health, linking science with community knowledge. Language revival push: Cook Islands Māori Language Week is highlighting urgent support needs for te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani, with experts warning language loss has reached a critical point. Scabies as a public health priority: A commentary argues scabies is far more than an itchy rash, linking it to serious skin infections and wider health impacts, and calling for it to be treated as a priority. Deep-sea exploration near the Cook Islands: NOAA’s Okeanos expedition is surveying deep waters near the Cook Islands, with live-style updates planned as a remotely operated vehicle maps and collects marine data. Waste and plastics: A local-focused piece discusses why incineration is often a poor fit for small island waste systems, and highlights the real pressure plastics create for Rarotonga and the Pa Enua.

Health leadership & NCDs: Former WHO chief nursing officer and ex-Te Marae Ora secretary Elizabeth Iro has announced her first Parliament bid for Titikaveka, with a letter also urging leaders to model healthier lifestyles as non-communicable diseases remain a major Cook Islands challenge. Breast screening support: Stars are uniting to help Cook Islands women access life-saving breast screening, with a separate Beehive Ball in Wellington backing the Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation. Heart health research: A Cook Islands Māori PhD researcher at the University of Otago is exploring whether naturally warm lagoon bathing could support heart health for Cook Islands Māori communities. Language & wellbeing: Cook Islands Māori Language Week highlights urgent support needs as te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani knowledge is reported to be very low among New Zealand-born Cook Islanders. Infectious disease travel warning: Australians are being warned about dengue risk in Samoa, with advice to prevent mosquito bites amid ongoing regional outbreaks. Public health beyond “just skin”: A commentary argues scabies should be treated as a public health priority, linking it to serious downstream illnesses. Maternal care & culture: A personal piece reflects on placenta handling after birth, while another raises concerns about whether Te Maeva Nui training practices are crossing from culture into harm. Environment & health links: CleanSeas workshop coverage points to plastic pollution prevention priorities, and discussion continues on whether deep sea mining should proceed.

NCDs and leadership: A CINews letter argues Cook Islands leaders should model healthier lifestyles, pointing to high NCD burden and premature deaths among working-age adults, and questions whether candidates are setting the standard they ask the public to follow. Breast cancer support: The Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s inaugural Beehive Ball in Wellington (Aug 8) spotlights major entertainment and a mission to save lives through awareness and screening. Language revival: Cook Islands Māori Language Week coverage highlights urgent concerns about te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani survival, with community calls for families and institutions to reconnect with the language. Heart health research: A Cook Islands Māori PhD study explores whether naturally warm lagoon bathing could support heart health, blending medical research with Pacific knowledge and elders’ connections to healing. Dengue warnings for travellers: Samoa is facing a dengue outbreak, and travel advisories urge Australians and others to prevent mosquito bites with repellent and protective clothing. Aitutaki lagoon protection: A public consultation update on Aitutaki’s Lagoon Management Plan focuses on co-management, ra’ui, stronger enforcement, and refreshed bylaws to protect the lagoon. Deep-sea mining debate: American Sāmoa’s pushback reflects the wider Pacific fight over seabed mining, with Cook Islands leaders defending exploration for jobs while critics warn science is uncertain. Scabies as a public health priority: A commentary urges treating scabies as more than an itchy rash, linking it to serious downstream infections and health harms.

Breast cancer support: The Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s inaugural Beehive Ball in Wellington (Aug 8) is bringing major entertainers to raise funds for screening and care, with Dame Lynda Topp headlining. Heart health research: A University of Otago PhD study led by Mary-Ann Rongo Moller is exploring whether bathing in naturally warm lagoon waters could support heart health for Cook Islands Māori communities. Language revival: Cook Islands Māori Language Week is spotlighting urgent te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani support, with experts warning only a small share of New Zealand-born Cook Islanders know the heritage language. Dengue travel warning: Australian and NZ travel advisories are urging extra mosquito protection for trips to Samoa amid ongoing dengue outbreaks, noting thousands of cases and hospitalisations across the Pacific. Public health spotlight on scabies: A New Zealand and Western Pacific focus argues scabies should be treated as a serious public health issue, linked to skin infections and more severe complications. Environment & health link: Aitutaki’s Lagoon Management Plan consultation is pushing stronger co-management, ra’ui protections, and enforcement—aimed at safeguarding the lagoon that supports community wellbeing. Culture and youth wellbeing: A commentary questions whether Te Maeva Nui’s intense training culture is pushing youth too far, with reports of exhaustion and hospital visits.

Breast cancer support: The Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s inaugural Beehive Ball in Wellington (Aug 8) will feature Dame Lynda Topp and other major entertainers, aiming to raise funds for work that can save lives. Heart health research: A Cook Islands Māori PhD researcher at the University of Otago is exploring whether bathing in naturally warm lagoon waters could support heart health, linking science with community knowledge and elders’ guidance. Mosquito-borne illness warning: Australian travellers are being urged to protect themselves from dengue in Samoa, as cases and hospitalisations rise across the Pacific; officials stress repellent and covering up to prevent mosquito bites. Public health spotlight on scabies: A New Zealand and Western Pacific focus piece argues scabies isn’t just an itchy nuisance, linking it to serious downstream illness and calling for it to be treated as a public health priority. Community-led lagoon protection: Aitutaki’s Lagoon Management Plan consultation is pushing stronger enforcement and co-management, with ra’ui and island bylaws at the centre—aimed at protecting a key health-and-livelihood resource. Culture and wellbeing: Commentaries raise concerns about the strain on youth during Te Maeva Nui training, questioning whether “culture” is being pushed into harmful extremes.

Cook Islands Māori Language Week: A new push to bring te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani back home is gaining momentum, with community leaders warning the language is at a critical point after only about 3% of New Zealand-born Cook Islanders have knowledge of the heritage language. Breast screening access: Stars and supporters are rallying to help Cook Islands women get life-saving breast screening, with a major fundraising push tied to the Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s Beehive Ball in Wellington on August 8. Heart health research: A Cook Islands Māori PhD researcher at the University of Otago is exploring whether bathing in naturally warm lagoon waters could support heart health, aiming to blend health outcomes with Pacific knowledge and elder-led connections to healing. Dengue risk for travellers: Travel advisories are urging extra protection against mosquito bites as dengue outbreaks continue across the Pacific, including Samoa, with health agencies noting no vaccine for first infection and warning about severe symptoms. Public health focus on scabies: A new look at scabies argues it’s far more than an itchy rash, linking it to serious skin infections and even conditions like kidney disease and rheumatic fever. Aitutaki lagoon protection: Aitutaki’s Lagoon Management Plan is moving through public consultation, with residents calling for stronger protection backed by ra’ui, refreshed bylaws, and renewed enforcement.

Breast Cancer Support: Stars including Dame Lynda Topp are set to headline the Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation’s inaugural Beehive Ball in Wellington on Saturday, August 8—aimed at helping women access life-saving breast screening. Mosquito-Borne Risk: Australian and New Zealand travel advisories are warning visitors about dengue in Samoa, with guidance to use repellent and protect skin from mosquito bites as cases and hospitalisations rise across the Pacific. Public Health Reframe: A new discussion challenges scabies as “just an itch,” linking it to serious downstream illness and urging it be treated as a public health priority, not a nuisance. Heart Health Research: A Cook Islands Māori PhD researcher is exploring whether bathing in naturally warm lagoon waters could support heart health, combining health outcomes with Pacific knowledge and community-led healing. Culture & Wellbeing: A Cook Islands Māori Language Week reflection highlights how language loss affects identity and wellbeing, while another piece questions whether intense Te Maeva Nui training is cultural pride or harm. Lagoon Protection: Aitutaki’s Lagoon Management Plan consultation is pushing stronger co-management, ra’ui-based enforcement, and public health and police involvement to protect the lagoon.

Deep-sea mining debate: American Samoa pushed back in the widening Pacific fight over seabed mining, with U.S. officials saying they will respect local decisions while offering expertise—highlighting how the Cook Islands and other islands weigh jobs and revenue against uncertainty and environmental risk. Dengue travel warnings: Australia’s Smart Traveller updated advice for Samoa as dengue continues to spread across the Pacific, urging mosquito bite protection; the CDC also refreshed dengue destination lists, reminding travellers that risk can be year-round and outbreaks can surge. Heart health with culture: A Cook Islands Māori researcher at the University of Otago is exploring whether bathing in naturally warm lagoon waters could support heart health, linking everyday healing knowledge with modern research. Waste and health impacts: Te Ipukarea Society argued incineration is not the answer for Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, warning that small-island waste realities make burning unreliable and costly. Lagoon protection: Aitutaki’s Lagoon Management Plan consultation is moving toward stronger co-management, ra’ui-led cultural enforcement, and clearer implementation steps to protect the lagoon. Language and wellbeing: As Cook Islands Māori Language Week begins, writers reflect on the loss of reo and the pressure many feel—tying culture, identity, and community wellbeing together.

Scabies as a public health priority: A new commentary argues scabies isn’t just an “itchy rash” and can drive serious downstream illness, including skin infections and even kidney disease and rheumatic fever—calling for it to be treated as a priority in health planning. Dengue risk for Pacific travellers: Australia’s travel advice has been updated for Samoa, urging people to prevent mosquito bites as dengue outbreaks continue across the region, with thousands of confirmed cases and hospitalisations reported across Pacific countries. Cook Islands travel rules ease for Covid: Prime Minister Mark Brown says travel requirements are loosening, including switching to supervised rapid antigen tests instead of PCR for travellers from New Zealand, removing MIQ for unvaccinated Cook Islanders and permanent residents, and aligning isolation rules with New Zealand. Aitutaki lagoon protection: The Lagoon Management Plan consultation is pushing a co-management approach with ra’ui at the centre, stronger enforcement, and refreshed island bylaws to protect the lagoon’s long-term health. Heart health meets culture: A Cook Islands Māori researcher is exploring whether bathing in naturally warm lagoon waters could support heart health, linking everyday practice with Pacific knowledge and community-led healing. Deep-sea science near the Cook Islands: NOAA’s Okeanos expedition is running live deep-sea surveys near the Cook Islands, with a remotely operated vehicle scheduled to map and collect marine data. Waste and incineration debate: Te Ipukarea Society renews the case that incineration isn’t the right answer for Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, citing scale and practical limits for small island waste systems.

Mosquito-borne disease alert: Samoa is facing a dengue fever outbreak, and travel advice for Australians has been updated to stress simple protection—use insect repellent and wear protective clothing to avoid mosquito bites. Regional health context: New Zealand’s travel guidance reports thousands of confirmed dengue cases across Pacific islands since early 2026, with hundreds of hospitalisations and a small number of deaths—reminding travellers that symptoms can range from mild flu-like illness to severe complications. Local health research: A Cook Islands Māori PhD researcher at the University of Otago is exploring whether bathing in naturally warm lagoon waters could support heart health, aiming to blend medical outcomes with Pacific knowledge and community-led healing. Waste and health link: A Cook Islands commentary argues incineration is usually a poor fit for small island waste systems, warning that “burning” doesn’t solve the practical and environmental realities of limited scale. Lagoon protection: Aitutaki’s Lagoon Management Plan is moving through public consultation, with residents pushing for stronger enforcement and co-management built around ra’ui and updated island bylaws. Travel rules easing: The Cook Islands is loosening Covid travel requirements for travellers from New Zealand, shifting from PCR to supervised rapid antigen tests and removing MIQ for unvaccinated Cook Islanders and permanent residents.

Mosquito-borne disease alerts: Samoa is seeing a dengue fever outbreak, and Australian travellers are being told to protect themselves by using insect repellent and wearing protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites. Regional health impact: Safe Travel New Zealand reports thousands of confirmed dengue cases across the Pacific since early 2026, with hundreds of hospitalisations and deaths, and notes there’s no vaccine to prevent first infection (but secondary infection can be prevented for eligible people). Cook Islands health research: A Cook Islands Māori PhD researcher at the University of Otago is exploring whether bathing in naturally warm lagoon waters could support heart health, aiming to blend medical outcomes with Pacific knowledge and community-led healing. Local environment & health links: Aitutaki’s Lagoon Management Plan is progressing through public consultation, with a focus on co-management, stronger enforcement, and cultural protections like ra’ui to safeguard the lagoon’s long-term health. Waste and health risk: Te Ipukarea Society argues incineration is not the answer for Cook Islands waste pressures, warning that small-island realities make it hard to run safely and effectively. Travel rules update: The Cook Islands is easing travel requirements, including switching to supervised rapid antigen tests for travellers from New Zealand and removing MIQ for unvaccinated Cook Islanders and permanent residents.

Dengue Alert for Travellers: Samoa is facing a dengue fever outbreak, and Australia’s Smart Traveller is urging visitors to prevent mosquito bites with repellent and protective clothing. Regional Health Impact: Safe Travel NZ reports more than 3,500 confirmed dengue cases, 156 hospitalisations and three deaths across the Pacific from Jan 1 to Jun 11, with no vaccine to prevent first infection (but secondary infection can be prevented in some cases). Cook Islands Research & Heart Health: A Cook Islands Māori PhD researcher at the University of Otago is exploring whether bathing in naturally warm lagoon waters could support heart health, linking modern study with Pacific knowledge and elders’ wisdom. Local Environment & Public Health Link: Aitutaki’s Lagoon Management Plan consultation is pushing co-management, stronger enforcement, and ra’ui-based protections to safeguard the lagoon. Travel Rules Update: The Cook Islands is easing Covid travel requirements, moving from PCR to supervised rapid antigen tests for travellers from New Zealand and removing MIQ for unvaccinated Cook Islanders and permanent residents. Deep-Sea Discovery: NOAA’s Okeanos ship is running live deep-sea surveys near the Cook Islands, with a remotely operated vehicle scheduled to map and examine the abyssal seafloor.

Heart Health Research: A University of Otago PhD study is exploring whether bathing in naturally warm lagoon waters could support heart health for Cook Islands Māori, linking wellbeing to Pacific knowledge and elders’ healing practices. Youth Safety & Culture: A debate piece questions whether Te Maeva Nui’s intense “boot camp” style training is cultural tradition or psychological and physical abuse, citing dancers collapsing and being taken to hospital. Waste & Health: A local analysis argues incineration is usually not the best answer for Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, warning that small island waste streams don’t fit the scale and pollution-control needs of modern plants. Lagoon Protection: Aitutaki’s Lagoon Management Plan consultation highlights co-management with ra’ui, stronger enforcement, and refreshed bylaws to protect the lagoon’s sustainability. Public Health Alerts: CDC updated its chikungunya and dengue travel notices, including a changed dengue destination list that still flags Samoa and the Cook Islands as risk areas. Infectious Disease Awareness: A World Hepatitis Awareness Day push reminds readers that most people with hepatitis B don’t know they have it, and testing is the only way to find out. Travel Rules Update: The Cook Islands eases Covid travel requirements, switching from PCR to supervised RATs and removing MIQ for unvaccinated travellers.

Waste & Health: A new look at plastics in the Cook Islands argues incineration is usually not the best fix for small island waste streams, citing scale, costs, and pollution-control needs. Lagoon Protection: Aitutaki’s Lagoon Management Plan is in public consultation, with residents pushing for stronger protection using ra’ui, refreshed bylaws, and tighter enforcement led by the Aitutaki Island Council and partners. Public Health Alerts: The CDC updated its dengue travel notices, changing which countries are listed for risk—while reminding travellers that risk doesn’t vanish when lists change. Infectious Disease Awareness: A hepatitis B “silent epidemic” reminder says most people with hepatitis B don’t know they have it, and testing is the key to diagnosis and support. Travel Rules Update: The Cook Islands is easing Covid travel requirements, moving from PCR to supervised rapid antigen tests for travellers from New Zealand and ending MIQ requirements for unvaccinated people. Regional Environment & Sovereignty: Pacific seabed mining is framed as the next big test for regional control, with concerns over environmental safeguards and governance gaps. Recognition & Culture: The inaugural Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki national awards name recipients across public service, excellence, and leadership.

Public Health & Travel: The CDC updated its chikungunya and dengue travel notices, with the dengue destination list changing (Cook Islands no longer listed, while Colombia, Samoa and Vietnam remain), reminding travellers that risk can shift even when outbreaks aren’t “gone.” Infectious Disease Awareness: A Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand push highlights hepatitis B as a “silent epidemic” most people don’t know they carry, stressing blood testing and the role of vaccination in preventing childhood transmission. Local Environment & Health: Aitutaki residents are urging stronger action in the Lagoon Management Plan, with ra’ui-led co-management, refreshed bylaws and renewed compliance aimed at protecting fisheries and lagoon health. Waste & Community Health: A local discussion argues incineration is usually not the best answer for small island waste systems, citing scale, costs and pollution-control challenges. COVID Rules Eased: Cook Islands travel settings are loosening, including switching from PCR to supervised rapid antigen tests for travellers from New Zealand and removing MIQ requirements for unvaccinated Cook Islanders and permanent residents. Regional Health Policy Context: A wider Pacific-focused debate in NZ politics and medical discussions puts healthcare and Pacific issues in the spotlight. Recognition & Culture: The inaugural Te Tango Raumaire o Avaiki national awards were announced, including honours for service during the COVID-19 response.

Waste & Health: Te Ipukarea Society argues incineration is usually a poor fit for Rarotonga and the Pa Enua, citing scale, cost, and the need for complex pollution controls that small communities can’t reliably sustain. Lagoon Protection: Aitutaki residents push for stronger action in the Lagoon Management Plan, with co-management built around ra’ui, refreshed island bylaws, and renewed compliance involving Environment, Public Health, Police, Tourism and other partners. Infectious Disease Alerts: The CDC updated its chikungunya and dengue travel notices, including a revised dengue destination list for U.S. travellers—risk remains even where countries drop off lists. Travel Rules (Covid): Cook Islands travel settings are easing: RATs replace PCR for travellers from New Zealand, MIQ is described as redundant, and quarantine/isolation rules for positives and close contacts are aligned with New Zealand. Hepatitis B Awareness: A reminder that most people with hepatitis B don’t know they’re infected, with testing via blood test and a focus on prevention and support. Community Health & Equity: Australian High Commissioner visits highlight community projects (including sports facilities) in Pukapuka and Nassau, supporting wellbeing through local access to sport and services. Public Health Governance: Aitutaki’s plan also flags Public Health as a key implementation partner, linking cultural stewardship with enforcement and long-term financing.