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Fairness and inclusion for play, active recreation and sport
Integrity matters, and Sport NZ as a kaitiaki (guardian) of the play, active recreation and sport system, has developed an Integrity Framework. This is to ensure we take a consistent approach to promoting a safe, fair and inclusive system.
Being active is a part of who we are as New Zealanders and we’re pretty good at it. Our participation rates are among the highest in the world. We have a reputation for fairness and equity in our pursuits – we go hard but we are fair. We strive to uphold the values which are important to us, whether we are in the playground, active in the great outdoors, or competing in organised sport.
Supporting everybody
The Integrity Framework is designed to support ‘Every Body’ involved in play, active recreation and sport, and ensure we take a consistent approach to maintaining fairness and equity for play, active recreation and sport.
Integrity Framework across the system
Safeguarding focus areas
Organisational culture
Providers and organisations have the duty to ensure that their participants enjoy a safe and fair environment. Whilst maintaining integrity is a collective responsibility, organisational culture starts from the top. A healthy organisational culture is one which promotes the themes of the Integrity Framework and provides safeguarding and protective measures to all participants equally though best practice governance principles.
Member protection
Every person involved in play, active recreation and sport has the right to be treated with respect and fairness, and to be safe and protected from abuse. Providers have a responsibility to ensure that everyone involved in their activities is aware of their legal and ethical rights and responsibilities.
Child safeguarding
Tamariki and rangatahi have the right to participate in an environment that is safe, supportive and protective, and where they are encouraged to remain active, enjoy what they are doing and be free from physical and emotional harm. This will increase the chances of instilling a lifelong love of participation and remaining active.
Anti-discrimination
Every person has the right to participate in play, active recreation and sport within a welcoming and inclusive environment, and to be treated with respect, empathy and positive regard. The Integrity Framework has a responsibility to promote anti-discrimination of all participants – irrespective of age, ability, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, political belief or socio-economic status.
Regulatory focus areas
Anti-doping
Doping in sport is both unhealthy to the individual and contrary to the law and ethics of sport. Sport NZ fully supports the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)/the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Drug Free Sport New Zealand (DFSNZ) against the use of banned substances and methods used to gain an unfair advantage.
Match-fixing
Sport should always be a fair contest. Around the world, sport is increasingly being targeted by criminals seeking to make money through match-fixing and other illegal and unethical gambling activities. This infiltration damages the reputation of sport and undermines its value.
Anti-corruption
Corruption has no place in New Zealand society and organisations have a duty to ensure they are fair and transparent in their day to day dealings and maintain adequate records and compliance with legislation. Corruption in any form has the potential to affect the integrity, growth, development and reputation of the New Zealand sport and active recreation system.
Understanding Integrity
Integrity Definition (2022)
The following integrity definition was approved by Cabinet in October 2022.
The integrity of the New Zealand play, active recreation and sport system encompasses personal, organisational and competition integrity, and ensures the safety, security, wellbeing, and inclusion of all participants in a manner consistent with internationally recognised human rights and the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi.
It rejects competition manipulation, discrimination, bullying, harassment, cheating, violence, abuse, racism, corruption, doping and fraud or any other criminal conduct, and promotes fairness, transparency, accountability, and a right for participants to be heard.
Policies and procedures
Sport NZ recognises the importance of supporting organisations within the play, active recreation and sport sector with policies and procedures relating to both Child Safeguarding and Member Protection. This helps to create a consistent approach to safeguarding the sector and are available to every organisation in the play, active recreation, and sport sector.
These policies and procedures can be found on the Sport NZ Integrity website for organisations to access and adapt for the needs of their organisation and will be updated centrally to reflect changes in law and best practice.
Resources and education
Sport NZ is committed to providing resources so everyone can play their part in making the system safer, understand which rules apply to them, or their organisation and apply best practice.
There are a range of resources on the Sport NZ Integrity portal designed to support individuals and organisations to understand their role in promoting a safe, fair and inclusive environment, including:
- Resources – guidance, factsheets and videos in integrity focus areas.
- E-Learning – Sport NZ has introduced e-learning modules for individuals and organisations to access and work through at their own pace including:
- Match-fixing and competition manipulation
- Anti-discrimination
- Child safeguarding and protection
Dealing with complaints and disputes
The Sport and Recreation Complaints and Mediation Service (SRCMS) is a safe and independent way for anyone engaged in sport and active recreation to lodge a complaint, issue or dispute and have it resolved in a timely manner. The service is free and is open to anyone involved in community sport and recreation as well as elite sport.
The service is operated by Immediation New Zealand Limited, an online dispute resolution company which has been contracted by Sport NZ. It is wholly independent of Sport NZ, High Performance Sport New Zealand and all other sporting bodies, clubs and organisations.
To submit a complaint or dispute, call 0800 493 612. Your telephone call will not be recorded.
Your call will be answered by a member of the SRCMS team who will take details of your complaint. They will then talk with you about available dispute resolution options.
All personal information received will be handled confidentially.
See also
If you require an accessible version of any content on the site please contact us at info@sportnz.org.nz and we will be happy to assist.
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