Renewables & Energy (Niue): Sunergise Group won the 2026 SEANZ Trailblazer Award, citing its Niue solar-plus-storage build: a 2.79MW solar farm paired with 8.19MWh of battery storage, aimed at keeping the island on track for an 80% renewable target, with 80% of onsite labour sourced locally. Education & Skills: A Ministry of Education consultation found strong support for improving NCEA, with four out of five educators and industry submitters backing changes—but many teachers, students and families want refinement rather than replacing NCEA outright. Shipping & Mining (West Coast): A barge, the Manahau, remains detained at Port Nelson two years after grounding at Carters Beach, with repairs and certification still pending as WMS (Westland Mineral Sands) continues to pause mining amid market and shipping cost volatility. Regional Policy & Climate: Coverage around the Pacific Islands Forum highlights ongoing China–US tensions and criticises Australia and NZ for limited climate action, while the Philippines pushes closer Pacific integration through its Philippine-Pacific Initiative. Climate Risk to Pacific Supply Chains: ChildFund warns El Niño could trigger a polycrisis—fuel crisis pressure plus drought or heavier rain—raising risks for water, food and children’s health across parts of the Pacific.