Niue Ocean Wide (NOW) Earthshot finalist: Niue’s NOW Trust has been named one of 15 Earthshot Prize 2026 finalists in the Revive Our Oceans category, highlighting its ocean protection and ocean-finance model covering 300,000+ sq km and the Niue Moana Mahu Marine Protected Area (about 40% of Niue’s EEZ). Pre-COP31 climate push in Fiji and Tuvalu: Pacific leaders are urging action, not more promises, as pre-COP meetings begin, with Fiji stressing Pacific lived experience and Indigenous knowledge in shaping COP31 outcomes. Pacific honours in New Zealand: Seven Pacific community leaders, athletes, educators and advocates have received national honours at investiture ceremonies in Auckland, including Pacific fashion pioneer Talaleomalie Mena Loheni (MNZM). Bezos Earth Fund boosts Pacific ocean conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants across Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu, lifting its Pacific ocean commitment to $63.3m and targeting 30% protection by 2030. Health and prevention focus: In New Zealand politics, Pacific candidate Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa argues health reform should start with prevention and stronger primary care, including better funding models for GPs.