The Cook Islands government has appointed former rugby league star and environmental advocate Kevin Iro as the official Marae Moana Ambassador.
Kevin Iro in action for the Kiwis, 1998. Photo: Photosport
The Marae Moana is the government's scheme for the sustainable management of the country's ocean territory which spans nearly two million square kilometres.
Prime Minister Henry Puna said Mr Iro had been working for years to promote the concept of the Marae Moana both nationally and internationally.
Mr Iro has had an informal role as an ambassador for Marae Moana for some time and the Cooks' cabinet has decided to make it official, Mr Puna said
The position, which has a term of three years and is renewable at the discretion cabinet, will operate out of the Office of the Prime Minister, reporting to its chief of staff.
"Generally, the objectives of his role are to promote Marae Moana and to coordinate the establishment of a gold standard for tuna fisheries," chief of staff Ben Ponia said.