Whale-Watching Boom: Niue is leaning hard into its natural draw—humpback whales sing and surface close to shore during the July–September migration, with only a couple flights a week making the experience feel extra rare. Visa Fee Shock: New Zealand’s Pacific visa changes cut costs for Pacific travellers (and extend default visa length), but officials warn the government could take a $1–2m-a-year revenue hit and strain immigration funding. Cost of Care: A Niuean man’s $2,050 dental bill is being used to spotlight a wider Pasifika oral-health cost crisis, with many delaying treatment until pain is “20 out of 10 bad.” Local Governance: Niue’s post-election Cabinet is now set under PM Dalton Tagelagi, with portfolios assigned across police/disaster, justice/lands/environment, and health/education/tourism/culture—plus a record seven women elected.