By Rebecca Rolls
Sport and active recreation play a role in the lives of most New Zealanders. The Active NZ: Participation Trends 2017-2023 survey tells us that 92% of young people and 74% of adults take part in sport and active recreation activities each week. Sport, it’s often said, is in our DNA.
However, not all New Zealanders have been able to participate in the activities they love in safe and fair environments. Cases of bullying, abuse and other poor behaviour have come to light over the years, some with tragic consequences.
To address this, the government set up the Sport Integrity Working Group to evaluate the best way to manage integrity in New Zealand sport and recreation. The Working Group recommended a strengthened integrity system through the introduction of an independent Crown entity focused on integrity.
That’s why the Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui (the Commission) was established, the result of a multi-year integrity journey. Our mission is to promote and protect the safety and well-being of participants and the fairness of competition in the sport and recreation sector.
Our responsibilities as an organisation are set in New Zealand legislation in the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act 2023 and are multifaceted. We promote and support fair and safe environments and competitions, set and administer standards and rules, manage complaints and dispute resolution services and investigate and report on integrity failures.
Our name is a taonga grounded in mātauranga Māori and emerged in a collaborative wānanga setting with Māori advisory group Te Ope Tāmiro. Te Kahu draws reference to the Māori kākahu, or cloak, which symbolises safety and protection for everybody in the sport and recreation sector. Raunui refers to the broad and far-reaching responsibilities that we aim to fulfil, and our commitment to fulfilling these with openness and honesty.
A current priority for us is to engage key stakeholders and the public in the development of the Integrity Code for Sport and Recreation (the Integrity Code). The Integrity Code will be a key tool for the sector to enhance integrity, setting standards and expectations for sporting organisations and participants. Adoption of the Integrity Code will be voluntary for sport and recreation organisations and will set minimum standards for the sector.
This month marks the release of the draft Integrity Code for public consultation. From 23 September, we will be seeking feedback from sport and recreation organisations, members of the public and other key stakeholders to make sure that everyone who takes part in sport and recreation can have their say.
By embedding in our mahi the voices of all participants in New Zealand's sport and recreation sector, we ensure that all are heard, respected and protected. Together we work to create an environment where every New Zealander can safely and fairly take part in the activities they love for generations to come.
Rebecca Rolls
Rebecca Rolls (Ngāti Porou) was appointed CE of the Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui after her role in its establishment as Integrity Transition Programme director.
Rebecca has held leadership roles with NZ Police, the Serious Fraud Office, Corrections and Sport NZ. As an athlete, Rebecca represented New Zealand as a Football Fern and as a White Fern.
