Rugby League World Cup: Newcastle centre Dane Gagai has been cleared to switch Tier 1 eligibility from Australia to New Zealand, setting up a potential reunion with Latrell Mitchell at the Kiwis’ World Cup opener in Sydney on 15 October. Police & public safety: Auckland police are gearing up to monitor “hot spots” like Māngere, Ōtāhuhu, Henderson, Ōtara and Queen Street during Pacific team gatherings in the Rugby League World Cup, after past disorder at similar parades. Cook Islands diplomacy: Prime Minister Mark Brown heads to Tuvalu and Fiji for Pacific Pre-COP31 talks pushing for faster, simpler climate finance and stronger ocean recognition, while the Cook Islands’ High Commissioner to Fiji meets Rabuka on trade, tourism and climate priorities. NZDF on Penrhyn: New Zealand Defence Force engineers and medics are progressing on Penrhyn, upgrading schools and the hospital and completing extensive hydrographic surveying. Scams warning: Bank of South Pacific customers are urged to be alert to impersonation phone calls seeking personal banking details. Tourism & youth: Te Mato Manava Tūroto is opening Expressions of Interest for the 2027 Te Arata’a tourism scholarship pathway. Ocean conservation: The Bezos Earth Fund announced $25m in new grants for ocean protection across five Pacific nations, including support for the Cook Islands’ Marae Moana.