Drug crisis response: A regional summit is being proposed to tackle a rapidly escalating methamphetamine crisis across the Pacific, with a new paper from the Pacific Security College warning it’s spreading beyond trafficking routes and is straining health and justice systems—plus driving violence and weakening community life. Health system strain: The report points to Fiji as a stark example, including needle sharing among users and the knock-on effects for HIV risk. Family policy in focus: A separate Pacific-wide look at maternity and paternity leave argues parental leave supports maternal recovery, mental health, breastfeeding, infant outcomes, and gender equity—while noting implementation gaps remain. Climate adaptation gap: Care services are still largely missing from National Adaptation Plans and NDCs, even as El Niño-linked drought, flooding, and disease threaten the most vulnerable. Environment pressure: Kiribati is calling for stronger upstream action on plastic pollution, citing daily plastic waste and limited options to treat or export recyclables. Immigration update: New Zealand plans a citizenship test from late 2027 for most applicants, covering civic duties and democratic principles.