Pacific Health Cooperation: Papua New Guinea and Niue have signed a framework agreement to deepen development and technical cooperation, explicitly including health and people-to-people support, with plans for follow-on programmes based on each country’s priorities. Regional Health Workforce Focus: Smaller Island States leaders meeting in Palau agreed to push joint action on health workforce support alongside transport, fisheries development, procurement, and access to climate finance—aiming to strengthen regional mechanisms and coordination. Forum Attendance and Health Reasons: New Zealand’s deputy PM Winston Peters said some Pacific leaders are absent from the Pacific Islands Forum for reasons including health, while noting the delegations in Koror remain strong. Spinal Pain Burden: A new global study highlights the regional burden of spinal pain across Asia-Pacific countries and territories from 1990–2023, underlining ongoing disability and pressure on healthcare services. Niue Remembrance: Niue received 39 memorial headstones for First World War servicemen, with the handover noting the role of illness and disease in the hardships faced by Niuean volunteers. Polynesian Medical Legacy: A feature recalls Te Rangi Hīroa (Sir Peter Buck) and his early medical work connections to Urenui, celebrating a major Polynesian scholar’s life and impact.