AGP Executive Report

El Niño & Early Warnings: Cook Islands highlighted a split weather pattern at PMC-8 in Tonga, with the south getting drier, hotter conditions and the north wetter—pushing for early warning systems that reach every community, not just some. Sea-Level Rise Data Doubts: Climate experts warned that some Pacific sea-level risk plans may be based on flawed land-elevation mapping, since satellites can misread ground under dense vegetation—raising stakes for adaptation decisions. UN “Overshoot” Warning: A new UN report says the world is on track to overshoot the 1.5°C warming limit, meaning sea-level rise will continue for centuries; adaptation is now “no longer optional” for Pacific islands. Penrhyn Port vs Deep-Sea Mining Fears: Greenpeace condemned the US–NZ co-funded Penrhyn/Tongareva port upgrade as a “Trojan horse” for critical minerals and deep-sea mining, while letters and calls for open consultation stress environmental and social risks. Pa Enua Climate Implementation: A three-day workshop in Rarotonga with Pa Enua mayors and executives wrapped as a first step toward implementing the Cook Islands’ climate resilience programme. Conservation on the Ground: Waihī Beach and Te Ipukarea Society launched automated predator traps in a high-altitude cloud forest to protect native wildlife from rats and feral cats.

Sea-Level Reality Check: UNEP’s “Limiting Overshoot” report says the world is set to breach the 1.5°C goal soon, and for the Pacific that means flooding risk is “locked in” for centuries—so adaptation is now unavoidable, not optional. Climate Risk & Preparedness: SPREP’s climatologist stresses timely weather and climate information can save lives during fast-onset hazards and El Niño, while Pacific leaders and partners warn fuel stress plus El Niño could trigger drought, heavier rain, and pressure on water, food and children’s health. Cook Islands Port vs Deep-Sea Mining Fears: Greenpeace Aotearoa condemns the US–NZ-funded Penrhyn/Tongareva port upgrade as a “Trojan horse” for deep-sea mining and urges Indigenous knowledge and sovereignty to shape decisions. Conservation on the Ground: Waihī Beach and Te Ipukarea Society have installed automated predator traps in Rarotonga’s cloud forest to protect native wildlife like the Tahiti petrel from rats and feral cats. Funding for Resilience: The Green Climate Fund says reforms should speed approvals and expand direct access for Pacific institutions, aiming to cut delays and get money to communities faster. Local Climate Implementation: Pa Enua mayors and officials wrapped a climate workshop in Rarotonga, calling it a first step toward implementing the Cook Islands’ resilience programme.

Penrhyn Port Upgrade & Deep-Sea Mining Backlash: Greenpeace Aotearoa is condemning a US–New Zealand-funded Tongareva (Penrhyn) port upgrade as a “Trojan horse” for deep-sea mining, arguing the investment could open the door to seabed extraction and permanent ecosystem damage. Climate Resilience Implementation: A three-day Pa Enua Mayors and Executive Officers Climate Change Workshop in Rarotonga wrapped with organisers calling it a positive first step toward implementing the Cook Islands’ major climate resilience programme. El Niño Warning for Pacific Communities: SPREP climatologist Philip Malsale says timely weather and climate information can save lives, with media training aimed at helping communities prepare for El Niño, cyclone season and other extremes. Biodiversity Protection in the Cloud Forest: Waihī Beach and Rarotonga’s Te Ipukarea Society have partnered to deploy automated predator-control traps over 400 metres above sea level in the Takuvaine Valley, targeting rats and feral cats that threaten native wildlife. Plastic Reduction Through Youth Action: Students in the Tere Apii‘anga Alternatives to Plastics competition showcased creative, traditional and practical ways to cut single-use plastic, with winners receiving sustainability-focused prize packs. Climate Finance Speed-Up: The Green Climate Fund says reforms are set to reduce approval delays and expand direct access for Pacific institutions, targeting faster delivery of climate funding.

Port upgrade debate in the north: The US and New Zealand announced major co-funding for a Penrhyn/Tongareva port upgrade, with Greenpeace Aotearoa calling it a “Trojan horse” for deep-sea mining and raising concerns about transparency and environmental impacts. Climate risk communication: SPREP climatologist Philip Malsale says timely weather and climate information can save lives, urging better public-facing reporting as El Niño conditions are discussed ahead of a regional meteorology meeting. El Niño preparations: ChildFund New Zealand warns fuel shortages plus El Niño could trigger a “polycrisis,” stressing early action to protect safe drinking water, food supplies and children’s health. Local conservation wins: Waihī Beach and Rarotonga’s Te Ipukarea Society have installed automated predator traps in the Takuvaine cloud forest to protect native wildlife from rats and feral cats. Resilience funding speed-up: The Green Climate Fund says reforms are targeting faster approvals and more direct access for Pacific institutions, aiming to cut delays that have slowed climate action.

Port Upgrade Debate: Greenpeace Aotearoa is condemning the US–NZ co-funded Penrhyn (Tongareva) harbour upgrade as “resource grabbing” and a “Trojan horse” for deep-sea mining, after the project was announced at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau; Cook Islands leaders call it a lifeline for Tongareva and point to critical minerals cooperation, while campaigners warn about transparency and environmental risk. Climate Resilience Funding: The Green Climate Fund says reforms are speeding approvals and accreditation, aiming to cut delays and boost direct access for Pacific countries, with resilience a key focus. El Niño Pressure on Food and Water: Pacific communities facing fuel stress are also bracing for a strong El Niño, with warnings of drought in some areas and heavier rain in others—raising risks for drinking water, food and children’s health. Local Conservation Wins: A new partnership between Waihī Beach and Te Ipukarea Society is installing automated predator traps in Rarotonga’s cloud forest to protect native wildlife threatened by rats and feral cats. Youth and Sport: CIFA named its TDS U14 girls squad for New Zealand’s McCartney Tournament, and the OFC U16 Women’s Championship kicks off in Solomon Islands with Cook Islands among the contenders.

Deep-sea mining fight heats up in the Cook Islands: Greenpeace Aotearoa and a Cook Islands-descended spokesperson hit back at Winston Peters after a US–NZ-funded Penrhyn/Tongareva port upgrade was announced at the Pacific Islands Forum, calling it a “Trojan horse” for seabed mining and urging transparency and public oversight. Port upgrade and environmental concerns: Cook Islands leaders say the Penrhyn port is a “lifeline” for Tongareva, but critics warn the project could open the door to deep-sea mining and raise environmental and governance questions. Climate resilience in focus: A Cook Islands Pa Enua mayors and executive officers workshop in Rarotonga wrapped with organisers saying it’s a first step toward implementing the country’s major climate resilience programme. El Niño pressure builds: Pacific communities facing fuel and cost stress are being warned to prepare for a potentially strong El Niño, with drought risks in some areas and heavier rainfall elsewhere, threatening water, food and children’s health. Biodiversity and conservation wins: Te Ipukarea Society and Waihī Beach launched high-altitude automated predator control in the Takuvaine cloud forest to protect native wildlife and seabirds from rats and feral cats. Climate finance reform: The Green Climate Fund says reforms are targeting faster approvals and more direct access for Pacific institutions, aiming to cut delays that have slowed climate action.

Deep-sea mining fight heats up: Greenpeace Aotearoa has hit back at Winston Peters after he accused the group of “pure racism” over opposition to a US–NZ-funded port at Tongareva/Penrhyn, warning the upgrade is a “Trojan horse” for seabed mining and calling for Indigenous knowledge to be treated as equal to other science. Cook Islands port upgrade under scrutiny: At the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, the US pledged US$50m and New Zealand NZ$10m for the Penrhyn port, with the Cook Islands saying it’s a “lifeline” for Tongareva—while critics raise transparency and environmental concerns. Climate resilience push: A Pa Enua Mayors and Executive Officers workshop in Rarotonga marked a step toward implementing the Cook Islands’ climate resilience programme. El Niño pressure on food and water: ChildFund New Zealand warns a strengthening El Niño could bring drought in some areas and heavier rain in others, stressing safe drinking water, food supplies and children’s health. Faster climate finance access: Green Climate Fund reforms aim to cut approvals and accreditation delays, targeting nine months for Pacific countries to reach funding. Biodiversity win: A new study finds damselfish may speed coral healing, strengthening the case for protecting fish habitats alongside reefs.

Deep-Sea Mining & Ports: Greenpeace Aotearoa is pushing back hard on a US–New Zealand co-funded Penrhyn (Tongareva) port upgrade, calling it “resource grabbing” and a “Trojan horse” for deep-sea mining—after the project was announced at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau. Climate Resilience Delivery: Cook Islands officials wrapped a Pa Enua Mayors and Executive Officers Climate Change Workshop in Rarotonga, described as a first step toward implementing the country’s resilience programme. El Niño Pressure on Food and Water: ChildFund New Zealand warns a strengthening El Niño could trigger drought in some islands and heavier rain in others, raising risks for drinking water, food and children’s health amid ongoing fuel stress. Faster Climate Finance: Green Climate Fund reforms aim to cut approval delays and expand direct access for Pacific institutions, targeting nine-month timelines. Biodiversity & Conservation Tech: A new cloud-forest partnership is using automated predator traps over 400 metres above sea level to protect native wildlife and seabirds in the Takuvaine Valley. Health Partnership: Health New Zealand and Te Marae Ora Cook Islands re-signed a health partnership to improve specialist referral pathways to New Zealand. Local Action on Plastics: The Tere Apii‘anga school competition in the Cooks is driving youth-led alternatives to single-use plastics, with winners receiving sustainability-focused prize packs.

Pacific Climate Action at PIF: Leaders in Palau backed “urgent and inclusive climate action” to keep global warming within 1.5°C, while the summit also highlighted how fast climate finance and resilience planning need to move. El Niño Pressure on Food and Water: ChildFund New Zealand warns a strengthening El Niño could trigger drought in parts of the Pacific and heavier rain elsewhere, raising risks for drinking water, food and children’s health. Faster Climate Funding: The Green Climate Fund says reforms should cut approvals and accreditation delays, aiming for direct access to money through Pacific national and regional institutions. Cook Islands Port Upgrade Sparks Mining Fears: The US and New Zealand’s NZ$101m Penrhyn (Tongareva) port upgrade drew Greenpeace backlash, with claims it could become a “gateway” to deep-sea mining and faces transparency concerns. Ocean Life and Conservation Tech: Te Ipukarea Society and Waihī Beach introduced automated predator traps in Rarotonga’s cloud forest to protect native wildlife from rats and feral cats. Coral Recovery Boost: A new study reports damselfish can speed healing of wounded corals, pointing to fish habitat protection as part of reef management.

Port & seabed mining row: The US and New Zealand announced a US$60m upgrade of Penrhyn/Tongareva port in the northern Cook Islands, but Greenpeace Aotearoa calls it a “trojan horse” for deep-sea mining and warns of transparency and environmental risks tied to critical minerals plans. Climate resilience push: In Palau, Cook Islands PM Mark Brown backed the Pacific Resilience Facility as it moves from pledges to community projects, while the Green Climate Fund says reforms should speed approvals and expand direct access for Pacific institutions. El Niño threat to food and water: ChildFund New Zealand warns a strengthening El Niño could trigger drought in parts of the Pacific, raising pressure on drinking water, food supplies and children’s health. Local action on plastic: Te Ipukarea Society’s Tere Apii‘anga school competition is driving youth-led alternatives to single-use plastics, with winners receiving reusable and marine-focused learning packs. Biodiversity protection in the Cooks: Waihī Beach and Te Ipukarea Society have installed automated predator traps in Rarotonga’s Takuvaine cloud forest to protect native wildlife from rats and feral cats.

Plastic reduction in schools: Te Ipukarea Society’s “Tere Apii‘anga” competition is getting students to brainstorm alternatives to single-use plastics, with winners from Nukutere, Titikaveka and Apii Nikao taking home reusable and marine-themed sustainability packs. Climate resilience implementation: A three-day Pa Enua Mayors and Executive Officers workshop in Rarotonga wrapped as a first step toward putting the Cook Islands’ climate resilience programme into action. Faster climate finance access: Green Climate Fund reforms aim to cut approval and accreditation delays, targeting nine months and pushing more direct access for Pacific national and regional institutions. Penrhyn port upgrade sparks backlash: At the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, the US and New Zealand announced a US$60m upgrade to Penrhyn/Tongareva, but Greenpeace Aotearoa calls it a “trojan horse” for deep-sea mining and urges transparency and Indigenous input. Ocean conservation on the ground: A new partnership between Waihī Beach and Te Ipukarea Society is deploying automated predator traps in the Takuvaine cloud forest above 400m to protect native wildlife and seabirds. Coral recovery research: A study finds damselfish can speed healing of wounded corals, suggesting fish habitat protection could support reef resilience.

Deep-sea biodiversity: NOAA’s deep-ocean work off New England turned up an ultra-tiny, still-unidentified mystery fish (about 5mm–1cm), a reminder that much of marine life remains undocumented. Climate resilience planning: Pa Enua mayors and executive officers wrapped a three-day climate change workshop in Rarotonga, described as a first step toward implementing the Cook Islands’ major resilience programme. Deep-sea mining pressure around Penrhyn: Greenpeace Aotearoa is calling the US–NZ co-funded Penrhyn/Tongareva port upgrade a “trojan horse” for deep-sea mining, warning of transparency and environmental risks as critical-minerals links are raised. Local conservation tech: Waihī Beach and Rarotonga’s Te Ipukarea Society installed automated predator traps over 400m up in the Takuvaine cloud forest to protect native wildlife from rats and feral cats. Pacific climate finance access: The Green Climate Fund says reforms are cutting approval time to nine months, aiming to speed up funding for climate-vulnerable countries like the Cook Islands. Coral recovery help: New research suggests damselfish can speed healing of wounded corals, pointing to fish-habitat protection as part of reef management. Weather update: Strong wind warnings for the Southern Cooks were lifted, but swells remain at an alert level.

Climate Action Implementation: The Pa Enua Mayors and Executive Officers Climate Change Workshop in Rarotonga wrapped after three days, with organisers calling it a positive first step toward implementing the Cook Islands’ major climate resilience programme. Conservation & Biodiversity: A new conservation partnership between Waihī Beach and Rarotonga’s Te Ipukarea Society is deploying automated predator-control traps in the Takuvaine Valley cloud forest—over 400 metres up—to protect native wildlife like the Tahiti petrel from rats and feral cats. Deep-Sea Mining Debate: Greenpeace says Indigenous knowledge must carry equal weight in deep-sea mining discussions, warning that communities’ ocean stewardship is often missing from decisions. Ports, Transparency & Mining Risks: At the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, the US and New Zealand announced a US$60m upgrade to Penrhyn (Tongareva) port, with Greenpeace Aotearoa calling it colonial “resource grabbing” tied to deep-sea mining; Te Ipukarea Society also urges transparency and public oversight as US involvement in exploration grows. Regional Climate Finance: The Green Climate Fund says reforms have cut approval and accreditation timelines to a target of nine months, aiming to speed access to climate funding for Pacific countries.

Pacific Islands Forum climate push: Leaders in Palau wrapped the 55th Pacific Islands Forum with the “Belau Declaration” calling for urgent, inclusive climate action to keep global warming within reach of 1.5°C, alongside new governance moves like an annual police ministers meeting and a renewable-energy funding prospectus. Penrhyn port upgrade sparks environmental debate: The US and New Zealand announced a US$60m co-funded “lifeline” port upgrade at Penrhyn/Tongareva, but Greenpeace and Te Ipukarea Society are warning about transparency and potential links to deep-sea mining in the Penrhyn Basin. Indigenous knowledge in deep-sea mining: Greenpeace says Pacific Indigenous knowledge must carry equal weight in the deep-sea mining debate, with communities controlling how their ocean knowledge is used. Conservation win for Cook Islands wildlife: A new partnership is bringing automated predator-control traps to the Takuvaine Valley cloud forest above 400m, targeting rats and feral cats that threaten native seabirds and wildlife. Health partnership strengthened: Health NZ and Te Marae Ora re-signed a partnership to improve Cook Islands access to specialist care in New Zealand via a more centralised referral process. Coral healing research: A study reports damselfish may speed recovery of wounded corals, suggesting fish habitat protection could support reef resilience. Weather update: Strong wind warnings for the Southern Cooks were lifted, but swells remain a risk for exposed coastlines.

Penrhyn Port Upgrade Sparks Environmental & Transparency Debate: The US and New Zealand announced a US$60m “lifeline” upgrade for Penrhyn (Tongareva) in the northern Cook Islands, but Greenpeace Aotearoa is calling it colonial “resource grabbing,” warning it could accelerate deep-sea mining and urging public oversight. Climate Finance Speed-Up: Green Climate Fund executive director Mafalda Duarte says reforms are cutting approval and accreditation timelines toward nine months, aiming to make climate money easier for Pacific countries to access. Health Partnership Strengthened: Health New Zealand and Te Marae Ora re-signed an updated referral partnership to improve access to specialist care in New Zealand for Cook Islands patients. Coral Repair Boost from Damselfish: A new study reports damselfish can speed healing of wounded corals, suggesting fish habitat protection may help conservation outcomes. Pacific Resilience Facility Moves to Communities: Cook Islands PM Mark Brown says the PRF is shifting from planning to funding community projects, with water, food and coastal restoration among the supported priorities. Local Weather Update: Strong wind warnings for the Southern Cooks were lifted, but swells remain a concern for exposed coastlines. Culture & Tourism Spotlight: Te Marama o te Manava Tūroto Tourism Month 2026 runs Sept 1–30, celebrating people, women’s leadership and youth pathways in the sector.

Pacific Islands Forum Focus: New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon is in Palau for a short, behind-closed-doors Leaders’ Retreat, saying Pacific leaders are pressing on fuel costs, El Niño climate risks, and regional security. Health Partnership: Health New Zealand and Te Marae Ora Cook Islands have re-signed a partnership to speed access to specialist care in New Zealand via a more centralised referral process. Climate Finance Speed-Up: Green Climate Fund reforms aim to cut approval and accreditation timelines to nine months, responding to long complaints that climate money is too slow to reach Pacific countries. Penrhyn Port & Deep-Sea Mining Alarm: The US and New Zealand’s US$60m Penrhyn (Tongareva) port upgrade is being called a “lifeline” by Cook Islands PM Mark Brown, but Greenpeace Aotearoa and Te Ipukarea Society are warning about transparency gaps and links to deep-sea minerals. Coral Recovery Research: A study finds damselfish can speed healing of wounded corals, suggesting fish habitat protection can support reef resilience. Ocean Protection Push: WWF and partners are urging Pacific countries to create protected “blue corridors” for whales and other marine species.