An independent complaints service for all sports has been setup in the wake of the damning Heron report into cycling.
The Heron report which was completed last year identified a culture of bullying, poor behaviour and a lack of accountability amidst a dysfunctional high performance programme at Cycling NZ.
The new service has been established by High Performance Sport New Zealand and will deal with complaints about bullying, harassment , inappropriate behaviours adn athlete welfare.
HPSNZ chief executive Michael Scott Photo: Photosport
"We acknowledged upon commissioning the Heron Report that New Zealand's high performance system needed to create a better balance between winning and wellbeing," said the chief executive of HPSNZ Michael Scott.
"With the establishment and promotion of this independent complaints service, together with the existing mechanisms individual sports also have available, we are confident that anyone working within the high performance system who has or is aware of an issue will know how this can be escalated and will have the confidence to do so," he said.
Anonymous complaints won't be allowed but all details relating to the complainant's identity will be kept confidential unless there is a risk of serious harm or otherwise agreed with the complainant.
The service will be run by employment law company Dyhrberg Drayton.