AGP Executive Report

Pacific health and life expectancy: A new look at Pacific life expectancy shows big gains overall, but Niue’s “Naoero” has slipped to the lowest in the region by 2023, with the gap widening over decades. Earthshot Prize spotlight on Niue: Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot finalist for ocean work, backing long-term protection through Ocean Conservation Commitments. Ocean conservation funding: Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, including support for marine protected area proposals and Pacific-led protection goals. Regional media push: Pacific editors adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Forum Declaration, stressing media’s role in amplifying Pacific voices on climate, biodiversity loss and pollution. Niue community feature: Niue Honey is highlighted as a growing bee sanctuary story, showing local efforts to revive and protect the island’s hives. Pacific travel access: Labour is promising expanded visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens to help families reconnect in Aotearoa.

Earthshot Oceans (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist in “Revive our Oceans,” backing long-term ocean protection through Ocean Conservation Commitments, with Niue and Barcelona both recognised for funding and climate-resilient coastal work. Pacific Media Freedom: SPREP’s Pacific Editors Forum adopted the Savusavu Loss and Damage Media Declaration, stressing media’s role in amplifying Pacific voices on climate, biodiversity loss and pollution. Pacific Media Summit (Savusavu): The 8th Pacific Media Summit in Fiji drew a record crowd, with a focus on reaching remote communities using digital innovation. Niue in the spotlight (culture & community): A Niuean language and culture advocate in Dunedin, Vai Kumitau, received King’s Birthday honours, while Niue’s bee sanctuary work continues to draw attention through the Niue Honey story. Regional ties (India): India was placed on the Pacific Islands Forum “Strategic Partner Stream,” with Jaishankar pointing to cooperation in healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building. Sports (Niue connection): NBC will broadcast PNG’s Ume and Wailo bouts in New Zealand, with Niue/New Zealand Commonwealth Games medallist Duken Williams featuring. Travel policy (Labour): Labour says it would expand visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens to help families reconnect in Aotearoa. Security watch (Cook Islands): The US says any military presence tied to the Penrhyn port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” while the port project itself is not a US base.

Pacific Islands Forum: India has been moved into the “strategic partner stream” at the Pacific Islands Forum, with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar pointing to cooperation on healthcare, renewables, connectivity and capacity building. Niue & ocean protection: Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a finalist in the Earthshot Prize’s “Revive our Oceans” category for its Ocean Conservation Commitments model, aiming to fund long-term protection of Niue’s vast marine territory. Earthshot Prize spotlight: Prince William announced the 2026 Earthshot finalists ahead of awards in Mumbai in November, with Niue and Barcelona both recognised for ocean work. Local honours: Niuean community leader Vai Kumitau received a King’s Birthday honour in Wellington for services to the Niuean community, highlighting ongoing cultural support in Aotearoa. Media freedom in the region: Fiji’s media sector is described as coming full circle after the scrapping of MIDA, with a Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu focused on reaching remote communities. Pacific travel policy: Labour is promising expanded visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens to make it easier and cheaper for families to visit New Zealand.

Earthshot Prize (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist in the “Revive our Oceans” category, backing long-term ocean protection through Ocean Conservation Commitments and a growing endowment. Pacific Media (Niue links): Niue-based PINA coverage highlights the 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu, focused on reaching remote communities with reliable information and digital innovation, with Niue among the delegations. Pacific Environment (Region-wide): The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25 million in grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, including support for marine protected areas across Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Tonga and Vanuatu. Public Service Recognition (Niue diaspora): Niuean community leader Vai Kumitau received a King’s Birthday honour in New Zealand for decades of work supporting Niuean language and culture. Regional Policy (Travel): Labour is promising expanded visa-waiver travel for Pacific families to reconnect in Aotearoa for major life events. Sports (Pacific): Pacific sport roundup covers record-breaking runs and World Cup qualification battles across the region.

Earthshot Prize (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for ocean work, pitching “Ocean Conservation Commitments” to fund long-term protection of Niue’s 327,000 sq km marine territory. Earthshot Prize (global): Prince William announced the 15 Earthshot Prize finalists for November’s awards in Mumbai, with Niue and Barcelona both recognised in the “Revive our Oceans” category. Pacific Media: The 8th Pacific Media Summit in Savusavu, Fiji, is drawing a record crowd of Pacific media leaders, with a focus on reaching remote communities through digital innovation. Pacific Climate: Pacific meteorologists warn El Niño is building and could be among the strongest since 1950, with likely drier conditions in parts of the western Pacific and higher cyclone activity in the north Pacific. Health (Cook Islands): The WHO is urging safer care for non-communicable diseases, highlighting high rates of hypertension, smoking and alcohol use across the region. Regional Security (Cook Islands): The US says any future military presence linked to a planned Penrhyn port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” while stressing the port project itself is not a US base.

Earthshot Prize (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist, recognised for its Ocean Conservation Commitments model that aims to fund long-term protection of the Pacific. Ocean Conservation (Pacific): The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25 million in grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, including support for marine protected areas in the Cook Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Tonga and Vanuatu. Local Environment (Niue Honey): A Niue Honey feature follows the revival of the island’s beekeeping after years of hives being left to the jungle, with new tours bringing the community into the story. Community & Culture (Honours): Niuean elder Vai Kumitau and police bridge-builder Inspector Neru Leifi received King’s Birthday honours in Wellington for decades of service to Pacific communities. Health (Cook Islands): The Cook Islands is promoting safer care for non-communicable diseases, highlighting high rates of hypertension, smoking and alcohol use. Travel Policy (Labour NZ): Labour says it would expand visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens to help families reconnect for major life events. Security (Cook Islands): The US says any future military presence tied to a Penrhyn port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” with the port project described as not a US base.

Niue Honey & bees: A rainy morning tour turned into an afternoon drive through Tamakautoga as Niue Honey’s revival story was shared—starting from Italian hives brought in the late 1960s, then rebuilding after years of neglect, with surviving hives now powering a Pacific bee sanctuary. Community & culture in honours: Niuean elder Vai Kumitau was recognised in New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours for decades of support for Niuean language and community life in Dunedin, including work with Vagahau Niue and helping students settle. Ocean protection spotlight: Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named an Earthshot Prize finalist for ocean work, backing long-term marine protection through Ocean Conservation Commitments. Regional health focus: Cook Islands health leaders, with WHO support, are pushing safer care for non-communicable diseases—an issue that also hits Niue and the wider Pacific. Pacific travel policy: Labour is promising expanded visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens, aiming to make it easier for families from Niue and others to reconnect for key life events. Climate watch: The Pacific is bracing for El Niño that could be among the warmest since 1950, with forecasts pointing to drier conditions in parts of the region and risks to reefs and lagoon ecosystems.

Earthshot Prize (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist in the Revive our Oceans category for its Ocean Conservation Commitments model, aiming to fund long-term protection of Niue’s vast marine territory. Pacific Ocean Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25 million in new grants to protect tropical Pacific waters, backing marine protected areas across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, and supporting cooperation on high-seas protections. Climate Watch (El Niño): Pacific climate services warn the current El Niño could be among the strongest since 1950, with forecasts pointing to drier conditions in parts of the western Pacific and higher cyclone activity in the north. Regional Governance (Travel): Labour is promising expanded visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens if elected, to make it easier for Pacific families to visit Aotearoa for major life events. Pacific Tech (AI): A Pasifika AI creator says Pacific-aligned AI must be built with community mandate, even if it means the system is less flashy but more accountable.

Ocean Conservation Funding: The Bezos Earth Fund has announced US$25 million in new grants to protect the tropical Pacific, backing marine protected areas across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, and supporting Pacific-led work to create international high-seas marine protections. Niue Spotlight: Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a finalist in the Earthshot Prize 2026 for ocean work, with its Ocean Conservation Commitments model aimed at long-term, permanent protection of Niue’s 327,000 sq km marine territory. Earthshot Prize Build-up: Prince William has unveiled the 2026 Earthshot Prize finalists ahead of awards in Mumbai in November, with Karan Johar set to host. Pacific Climate Watch: Pacific leaders are bracing for El Niño conditions that could be among the strongest since 1950, with forecasts pointing to drier conditions in parts of the western Pacific and higher cyclone activity in the North Pacific. Regional Security Talks: The US says a future military presence linked to a planned port upgrade in the northern Cook Islands is “all being negotiated,” while insisting the port project itself is not a US military base.

Earthshot Prize (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist for ocean work, backing long-term protection through “Ocean Conservation Commitments” and a reported NZ$32 million endowment aimed at permanent safeguarding of Pacific waters. Earthshot Prize (global): Prince William announced the full set of 15 finalists for 2026, with winners to be revealed in Mumbai in November and hosted by Indian filmmaker Karan Johar. Pacific climate watch: The Pacific Meteorological Council says El Niño is building and could be among the strongest since 1950, with forecasts pointing to drier conditions in parts of the western Pacific and major impacts for reefs and lagoon ecosystems. Weather readiness: Pacific nations shared progress on stronger early warning systems and weather services, including AI-supported forecasting in Tuvalu and upgrades to observation networks in other island states. Regional security (Cook Islands): The US says any future military presence tied to a Penrhyn port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” while the port project itself is described as not a US military base. Pasifika AI: A Pasifika AI creator warns AI can’t speak for Pacific communities without formal community mandate and ownership.

Earthshot Prize (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist in the “Revive our Oceans” category, recognised for Ocean Conservation Commitments that aim to fund long-term protection of the Pacific. Earthshot Prize (Global): Mahindra Last Mile Mobility also made the 2026 shortlist for “Clean Our Air,” while Prince William announced all 15 finalists ahead of awards in Mumbai in November. Pacific Climate Watch: The Pacific Meteorological Council warns El Niño could be among the strongest on record, with drier conditions likely in parts of the western Pacific and impacts that may be different in a warmer world. Regional Governance & Travel: Labour in New Zealand says it would expand visa-waiver travel for Pacific Islands Forum citizens to help families reconnect for major life events. Security & Ports (Cook Islands): The US says a future military presence linked to a Penrhyn port upgrade is “being negotiated,” with the project framed as policing against illegal fishing and narco-terrorism. Niue Community (Youth): PACNEWS notes Niue youth are gearing up to share Loss and Damage stories.

Earthshot Prize (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a finalist for the 2026 Earthshot Prize in the “Revive our Oceans” category, with its Ocean Conservation Commitments model aimed at long-term funding for permanent protection of the Pacific Ocean. Earthshot Prize (global): The Earthshot Prize 2026 finalists were announced by Prince William ahead of awards in Mumbai in November, with Niue joining other ocean-focused finalists including Barcelona. Pacific travel (New Zealand): Labour is promising expanded visa-waiver travel for citizens of Pacific Islands Forum nations, aiming to make it cheaper and easier for Pacific families—including Niueans—to reconnect for weddings, funerals and major cultural events. US–Cook Islands ports: The US says a future military presence linked to a planned Penrhyn port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” while the port project itself is described as not a US base. Climate watch (El Niño): Pacific meteorology officials warn El Niño could be among the strongest since 1950, with below-normal rainfall expected for parts of the western Pacific and impacts that may be harder to predict in a warmer world.

Earthshot Prize (Niue): Niue Ocean Wide Trust has been named a finalist in the Earthshot Prize, backing its Ocean Conservation Commitments model that aims to fund long-term protection of the Pacific. Ocean science (Tokelau): National Geographic Pristine Seas is launching an expedition this week to build the first baseline analysis of Tokelau’s reefs and open-ocean and deep-sea environments, feeding into future ocean policy and marine planning. Pacific travel (NZ election policy): Labour says it would expand visa-waiver travel for citizens of Pacific Islands Forum nations, making it easier and cheaper for Pacific families—including Niueans—to visit Aotearoa for weddings, funerals and other key cultural moments. Earthshot (ocean category): Niue and Barcelona are also listed as 2026 finalists in the Revive our Oceans category, with Niue highlighted for tackling the challenge of financing protection for decades ahead. Climate risk (El Niño): Pacific meteorology briefings warn El Niño could be among the strongest since 1950, with below-normal rainfall expected in parts of the western Pacific and impacts that may be harder to predict in a warmer world. Regional weather readiness: Pacific Meteorological Council updates highlight strengthened early warning and forecasting capacity across island nations, including new centres and upgrades to observation systems.

Earthshot Prize (Niue): Niue has been named a 2026 Earthshot Prize finalist in the Revive our Oceans category, alongside Barcelona, for work on long-term ocean protection financing and climate-resilient coastlines. The Earthshot Prize will pick five winners at an awards ceremony in Mumbai on 17 November, hosted by Indian filmmaker Karan Johar. Sports (Niue): Niue is set to compete in the men’s and women’s Oceania Rugby 7s Cup in Rotorua next month, with the tournament featuring teams including Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and Niue. Regional security (Cook Islands): The US says a future military presence linked to a planned Penrhyn port upgrade in the Cook Islands is “all being negotiated,” with the port project described as not a US military base. Climate (Pacific): Pacific nations are bracing for a strong El Niño that could be among the warmest since 1950, with forecasts pointing to drier conditions in parts of the western Pacific and higher cyclone activity in the North Pacific. Education (NZ): A consultation on replacing NCEA found strong support for improving the system, but many educators, students and families want it refined rather than scrapped.

US–Pacific Security Talks: The United States says any military presence linked to a planned port upgrade at Penrhyn (near a former WWII airfield) is “all being negotiated,” with the port project described as not a US base and framed around policing illegal fishing and narco-terrorism. Regional Funding: The NZ$101m Penrhyn upgrade will be jointly funded by the US (US$50m) and New Zealand (NZ$17.5m), announced alongside Cook Islands PM Mark Brown and NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Climate Watch: Pacific nations are bracing for a strong El Niño that could be the warmest since 1950, with forecasts pointing to drier conditions in parts of the west and above-normal rain in the central/eastern equatorial Pacific, plus risks to reefs and lagoon systems. Weather Readiness: At the Pacific Meteorological Council meeting in Tonga, countries highlighted progress on early warning and forecasting capacity, including new multi-hazard centres and upgrades to observation networks. Niue in Sport: Niue is set to compete in the Oceania Rugby 7s Cup in Rotorua, with both men’s and women’s tournaments featuring Pacific teams including Niue. Diplomatic Appointments: New Zealand has named Melanie Roberts as High Commissioner to Niue among several new diplomatic postings.

Cook Islands–US talks: The US says any military presence linked to a planned Penrhyn Island port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” with the project framed as a civilian “friendly port” rather than a US base. Regional security: The upgrade near a former World War II airfield is being jointly funded by the US and New Zealand (NZ$101m total), with officials pointing to policing illegal fishing and narco-terrorism. Climate watch for the Pacific: Pacific nations are bracing for a strong El Niño that could be the warmest since 1950, with forecasts of drier conditions in parts of the western Pacific and major reef and lagoon impacts from falling sea levels. Weather readiness gains: At the Pacific Meteorological Council meeting in Tonga, countries reported progress on early warning systems and forecasting, including Tonga’s multi-hazard centre and Tuvalu’s faster severe-weather monitoring. Niue in sport: Niue is set to compete in the Oceania Rugby 7s Cup in Rotorua next month, alongside Cook Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and others.