Mantis-Hoff Shield: Cook Islands Residents face Gold Coast Kuki Airani in the series decider at Nukupure Park today (3pm) after a 34-4 loss in the opener, with coach Dion Nepia saying the match will help the team sharpen up ahead of Saturday’s final. Football & pathways: The Cook Islands Football Association says OFC badge holders Marcus Gibbens and Andrew Teena have been selected for the 2026 OFC U-15 Boys Development Tournament in Auckland, marking a major step in the local refereeing pathway. Sports diplomacy & safety: Police in Auckland say they’ll monitor “hot spots” for anti-social behaviour during Rugby League World Cup gatherings, citing past disorder around Pacific team parades. Climate & ocean policy: PM Mark Brown heads to Pacific Pre-COP31 in Tuvalu and Fiji to push for faster, accessible climate finance and stronger ocean recognition in decisions. Sovereign wealth: Former NZ foreign minister Murray McCully praises the Cook Islands Sovereign Wealth Fund Act aimed at managing ocean resource revenues for long-term benefit. Ocean conservation funding: The Bezos Earth Fund announces $25m+ in new grants for ocean protection in the Cook Islands and four other Pacific nations, supporting work across 625,000+ square miles. Local development on Penrhyn: NZDF’s Exercise Tropic Twilight continues, with upgrades to schools and the hospital plus hydrographic surveying to improve local charts.