Pacific travel access: Labour is promising to expand visa-waiver travel for citizens of Pacific Islands Forum nations to New Zealand, aiming to cut costs and red tape for Pacific families visiting for weddings, funerals and other key cultural moments—an especially big deal for Niueans with whakapapa links to Aotearoa. Ocean conservation funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announced US$25m in new grants to protect 625,000 square miles of tropical Pacific ocean, backing marine protected areas across the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu—good news for reef health that underpins island tourism. Cook Islands port plans (regional travel impact): The US says a military presence tied to a planned Penrhyn Island port upgrade is “all being negotiated,” with the project jointly funded by the US and New Zealand; officials stress it’s not a US base, but the talks could shape how the region’s ports operate. Earthshot Prize spotlight: Prince William named 15 Earthshot Prize 2026 finalists, with winners to be announced in Mumbai in November—another reminder of the growing global focus on climate solutions that affect Pacific travel and resilience.