US–Pacific Security Talks: The US says any military presence linked to a planned port upgrade in the northern Cook Islands near a former WWII airfield is “all being negotiated,” with the Penrhyn project jointly funded by the US and New Zealand (NZ$101m total; US $50m, NZ $17.5m) and described as not a US base, aimed at policing illegal fishing and narco-terrorism. Regional Diplomacy: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made five diplomatic appointments, including former chief of staff Jon Johansson as Ambassador to Sweden and Melanie Roberts as High Commissioner to Niue, reigniting debate over political appointments. Education Policy (NZ): A large consultation on replacing NCEA found strong support to improve the senior secondary system, but many educators, students and families want refinement rather than scrapping it, as the government proposes new certificates from 2028–2030. Climate & Weather Readiness: Pacific nations highlighted progress at the 8th Pacific Meteorological Council, including early warning upgrades in Tonga and forecasting improvements in Kiribati and Tuvalu.