Lewis, manager of the gold medal-winning 3x3 women’s basketball team from the Pacific Mini Games 2017, takes over from Graham, whose contract was cut short due to "unsatisfactory performance".

Hugh Graham, President of the CISNOC and the brother of Robert, revealed that Lewis was one of nine applicants for the job and was chosen from a shortlist of three. 

"The [interview] panel paid special attention to the issues that arose out of the investigation into the former secretary general, which highlighted CISNOC’s lack of process, accountability and transparency, the need to review the constitution, and develop a strategic plan that clearly outlines CISNOC’s role and objectives, as well as develop and/or finalise necessary policies to ensure proper process and good governance is followed in future," Graham said in the letter sent to members of CISNOC, reported by Cook Islands News.

"The panel then concluded, based on one interviewee’s qualifications, background and experience, that he [Lewis] would be instrumental to CISNOC in achieving the above."

Lewis is currently the human resources manager at the Public Service of the Cook Islands, which has a staff of 1,900 full-time and 600 part-time employees.

"He was a member of the Budget Support Group that advised the Cook Islands Minister of Finance in the compilation of the 2017/18 Cook Islands Budget," Graham said in the letter.

"He was also appointed as the inaugural director of the National Training Institute of the Cook Islands and in the process registered them with international accrediting agencies in New Zealand and England. 

"He also initiated the first Cook Islands-based apprenticeship scheme.

"During his years in New Zealand, Lewis developed a small, mandated indigenous health and education provider into the largest health, social service and education/training service provider in the Far North of New Zealand, as well as developing the health and education/training service delivery of a national provider of disability services and managed operations in the northern region of New Zealand (Rotorua to Cape Reinga)."

Lewis also developed and managed three privately owned early childhood centres on the campuses of a prominent tertiary education establishment in New Zealand, Graham said.

"He revived an ailing private training establishment and led them successfully through a full audit with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority that resulted in the reinstatement of their registration and accreditation," Graham wrote.

"He has guided many and varied organisations through change and development with significant success and positive outcomes for staff and the organisations.

"He successfully managed and led organisations across health, social service, education and training sectors, and in the process gained insight and a thorough understanding of each sector, the people they serve and the key attributes required for success.

"Owen has over 25 years of leadership and senior management experience in education, training and social services, including more than 15 years’ experience in governance working on boards and with boards.

"We anticipate Owen officially starting in this new role within a few weeks."

The Cook Islands won their first-ever Commonwealth Games medal last month when Taiki Paniani and Aidan Zittersteijn took the bronze in the men's pairs lawn bowls event. 

The country, made up of 15 islands scattered across the Pacific, made their Olympic debut at Seoul in 1988 but are still waiting for its first medal.

At Rio 2016 they sent their biggest ever contingent of nine athletes, with their best performance coming from Luisa Peters, who finished ninth in the women's 75 kilograms weightlifting.