Polynesian diplomacy: NZ Foreign Minister Winston Peters met Samoa, Tonga and Tokelau leaders in Apia, flagging fuel-cost pressures and backing for the region, with Moana Pasifika’s future also on the agenda. Child poverty spotlight: Tonga and UNICEF released a report showing 25.3% of children in Tonga face multidimensional poverty, with gaps across nutrition, healthcare, education, water and housing. Honours for Tongans in NZ: Two Tongans were recognised in New Zealand’s King’s Birthday Honours—Fane Fusipongi Ketu’u for Tongan language education and Kathleen Tuai-Ta’ufo’ou for decades of Pacific community support. King’s Birthday Honours roundup: More Pasifika recipients were named, led by Olympian Beatrice Faumuinā for sport and governance. Court and cultural rights: An NSW court rejected a mother’s bid to stop an autopsy of slain Tongan man Alai ‘Ahio, despite claims grounded in cultural and religious beliefs about keeping the body intact. Tourism leadership: Tonga appointed a new Tourism CEO, with the Public Service Commission confirming the leadership change. Education milestone: USP’s Samoa graduation saw 224 students graduate, including 161 women, with King Tupou VI presiding. Health and identity: A new report explores the climate change–statelessness link in the Asia Pacific, urging governments to act on nationality and statelessness risks. Community culture: Auckland’s Month of the Family event honoured Tonga’s elders as “Vaasi Koula,” celebrating intergenerational respect. Sport and pathways: Tonga Football Association’s Just Play won a Best Messaging Award for using football to promote inclusion, education and gender equality.