Electoral Reform Watch: France’s Constitutional Council has approved changes to New Caledonia’s electoral roll ahead of the 28 June provincial elections, “unfreezing” voting rights for more than 10,000 people born after the roll restrictions were imposed under the Nouméa Accord framework. Competition & Business Climate: New Caledonia’s Congress passed a competition law aimed at curbing abusive practices such as excessive pricing and late payments, while also tightening merger controls and allowing deferred discounts between producers and distributors. Travel & Tourism Signal: The US State Department downgraded its New Caledonia travel advisory from Level 3 to Level 2, citing improved safety after the 2024 unrest, though it still flags petty crime outside Nouméa and limited emergency support. Regional Fisheries Governance: The Pacific Tuna Initiative expanded to Palau, building on reforms already underway in Fiji, Samoa and New Caledonia to strengthen sustainable tuna management and more equitable ocean governance. Local Industry Pressure: New Caledonia’s kava sector is warning of job risks as the imported root price reportedly jumped about 40% since early 2026, driven by freight costs and reduced supply from Vanuatu. Health Update: The Cook Islands declared itself dengue-free after 26 days without new cases, while Tonga and other Pacific areas—including New Caledonia—continue to report outbreaks.