Published on 17 Feb 2025

Safeguarding the Integrity of Sport: Supporting the setup of Sport Integrity New Zealand

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Jason Carpenter Director Business Development (NZ) Contact me

Sport NZ faced a crisis of confidence within New Zealand's sport and recreation community. High-profile cases of athlete welfare concerns, bullying, and inappropriate behaviour had eroded public trust. The fragmented approach to integrity—with functions split between Sport NZ and Drug Free Sport New Zealand—created confusion for participants and lacked the independence needed to address concerns effectively.

Allen + Clarke provided policy support to Sport NZ for the establishment of an independent Crown entity focused on tackling these integrity issues. We developed comprehensive legislation and policy frameworks that addressed systemic challenges while honouring Te Tiriti principles and New Zealand's unique sporting landscape.

Our framework balanced prescription with flexibility, respecting sector diversity while establishing clear expectations. It addressed the root causes of integrity failures while providing practical pathways for complaints resolution. Most importantly, it created a foundation for rebuilding trust in New Zealand's sport and recreation system, encouraging greater participation and enjoyment for all New Zealanders.

Supporting robust policy advice

The diverse nature of New Zealand’s sport and recreation landscape made the challenge of establishing an integrity entity particularly complex. Any solution needed to work for both large national sporting organisations and small community groups while also respecting Māori autonomy and cultural practices in sport.

The policy framework for the Sport Integrity Entity included:

  • Check mark A Code of Integrity established through secondary legislation with voluntary adoption.
  • Check mark Support through non-legislative levers like funding conditions.
  • Check mark At least two Board members with knowledge of tikanga Māori and te ao Māori.
  • Check mark Expanded Sports Tribunal jurisdiction to hear appeals related to the Code.
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Results: A clear path forward

Cabinet approved the establishment of the Sport and Recreation Integrity Commission as an independent Crown entity with a board of seven to nine members.

The Commission is now operational, and its work includes development and issue of integrity codes, provision of complaints resolution support, investigation of matters related to sport integrity, creation of a clear entry point for integrity issues and protection of participant wellbeing at all levels. 

Our support helped Support NZ to:

  • Create an independent Crown entity with clear separation, ensuring both actual and perceived independence in handling integrity issues. 

  • Consolidate fragmented functions into one entity, making the system more accessible for all participants. 

  • Design a balanced regulatory approach that respected sector autonomy while establishing clear pathways for complaints resolution. 

Interconnected coloured pathways forming abstract network diagram
Interconnected coloured pathways forming abstract network diagram

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