Pacific Islands Forum prep: Pacific leaders are heading to Palau for the 55th Pacific Islands Forum with a tougher agenda ahead, shaped by geopolitics, transnational crime, economic pressure and the push for stronger regional unity. Realm talks (NZ–Cook Islands–Niue–Tokelau): In Auckland, New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon met with Cook Islands PM Mark Brown, Niue PM Dalton Tagelagi and Tokelau leader Ulu-o-Tokelau Petelo Alapati Tavite to align priorities ahead of Palau. Action over promises: Brown urged a shift from more strategy talk to deliverables, linking security to climate resilience and regional cooperation. Niue remembrance with economic ties in mind: New Zealand’s NZDF says 39 Niuean First World War memorial headstones were delivered to Alofi for placement across villages, reinforcing long-running people-to-people links that support tourism and community heritage. Diplomacy and risk for Kiribati: Kiribati is considering a constitutional change that could make it harder for future governments to switch diplomatic recognition back to Taiwan, tightening its China alignment. India–Niue diplomatic update: India’s next High Commissioner to Niue is set to be concurrently accredited from Wellington, signalling continued investment and engagement pathways for Niue.