Top Kiwi rower arrested over incident in US
By Dana Johannsen of RNZ
Rowing NZ has launched an investigation into a recent tour to the United States, after a top New Zealand rower was arrested for assault following an incident at a post-regatta celebration.
RNZ has learned Zack Rumble, a member of the New Zealand men's elite team, missed his flight home from the US tour as he was in police custody following his arrest on suspicion of assault on May 3.
The national team, made up of a men's and women's eight crew, had been in Seattle for the prestigious Windermere Cup.
According to records with Washington State's Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD), Rumble was held for 45 hours in the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle before being released without charge on May 5.
It is understood the alleged assault occurred at a private event at the Seattle Yacht Club, in which the New Zealand team were invited guests.
A source with knowledge of the incident, who did not want to be identified, said the fracas occurred after an evening of drinking. The DAJD records indicate Rumble was arrested at 11.58pm - nearly 12 hours after the prize-giving festivities kicked off.
The source said they believed the arrest was a result of a "misunderstanding with police, in a country where you really don't want to have misunderstandings with police".
Another New Zealand athlete was said to have been present at the time of the incident, but was not involved.
Rowing NZ chief executive Simon Wickham declined to be interviewed, but in a statement confirmed an incident had occurred on the tour involving a member of the men's eight, which meant "that athlete was not able to return home with the remainder of the team".
"Rowing New Zealand made sure that athlete had our full support in the United States and their welfare was our first priority at the time. We had one of our Rowing NZ coaching team remain on the ground in Seattle to support the athlete concerned," Wickham said.
"This was a distressing time for the athlete and our team members and Rowing NZ has worked hard to make sure the athletes and coaches in our care have the support around them they need."
Wickham added Rowing NZ has engaged prominent sports lawyer Don Mackinnon to lead an independent review of the tour to "seek learnings and recommendations".
But the national body's handling of the episode is reportedly causing division among the athletes in the Rowing NZ's elite squad.
Sources have told RNZ some athletes are uneasy about being swept up in a broad, team-wide probe due to the actions of an individual, while others are concerned about the impact the incident will have on the team's upcoming World Cup and World Championship campaign.
It is understood Rumble, who had been selected for the upcoming World Cup events in Italy and Switzerland, resumed training with the team shortly after returning to New Zealand.
Asked whether the athlete would still be travelling to Europe in light of the events of earlier this month, Rowing NZ said the team announced on March 21 would attend the next World Cup event in Varese, Italy.
Rowing NZ insists its approach has been measured and appropriate.
"We have responded proactively with an independent review," Wickham said. "It would be premature to comment on any outcomes or actions until that review has concluded."
Commodore of the Seattle Yacht Club Randy Holbrook declined to comment on the May 3 incident, "to maintain the integrity" of Rowing's NZ's review process.
However Holbrook said the New Zealand coaching staff displayed "exemplary professionalism in working with us".
"We recognise New Zealand as one of the world's top rowing programmes and we'd be honoured to welcome them back to our Club on any future trips to the US Pacific Northwest."
The Windermere Cup is an annual rowing event held as part of the Seattle Yacht Club's opening day of the boating season. Aimed at showcasing the might of the University of Washington's rowing programme, each year the college invites international teams to contest the trophy.
This year Rowing NZ were invited to send a women's and men's eights crew to the regatta.
The New Zealand men finished second behind the Washington crew, which included three oarsmen from New Zealand: Ben Shortt, Harry Fitzpatrick and Olympic silver medallist Logan Ullrich.
In response to written questions, a spokesperson for the University of Washington said the organisation "would not have any comment on this".
High Performance Sport NZ, which provides $6 million in annual funding to Rowing NZ's elite programmes, are understood to have been briefed on the incident and are being kept updated on the review.
RNZ has attempted to contact Rumble without success.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
4 hours ago
- Scoop
Top New Zealand Rower Arrested In The US Following Post-Regatta Incident
Rowing NZ has launched an investigation into a recent tour to the United States, after a top New Zealand rower was arrested for assault following an incident at a post-regatta celebration. RNZ has learned Zack Rumble, a member of the New Zealand men's elite team, missed his flight home from the US tour as he was in police custody following his arrest on suspicion of assault on 3 May. The national team, made up of a men's and women's eight crew, had been in Seattle for the prestigious Windermere Cup. According to records with Washington State's Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD), Rumble was held for 45 hours in the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle before being released without charge on 5 May. It is understood the alleged assault occurred at a private event at the Seattle Yacht Club, in which the New Zealand team were invited guests. A source with knowledge of the incident, who did not want to be identified, said the fracas occurred after an evening of drinking. The DAJD records indicate Rumble was arrested at 11.58pm - nearly 12 hours after the prize-giving festivities kicked off. The source said they believed the arrest was a result of a "misunderstanding with police, in a country where you really don't want to have misunderstandings with police". Another New Zealand athlete was said to have been present at the time of the incident, but was not involved. Rowing NZ chief executive Simon Wickham declined to be interviewed, but in a statement confirmed an incident had occurred on the tour involving a member of the men's eight, which meant "that athlete was not able to return home with the remainder of the team". "Rowing New Zealand made sure that athlete had our full support in the United States and their welfare was our first priority at the time. We had one of our Rowing NZ coaching team remain on the ground in Seattle to support the athlete concerned," Wickham said. "This was a distressing time for the athlete and our team members and Rowing NZ has worked hard to make sure the athletes and coaches in our care have the support around them they need." Wickham added Rowing NZ has engaged prominent sports lawyer Don Mackinnon to lead an independent review of the tour to "seek learnings and recommendations". But the national body's handling of the episode is reportedly causing division among the athletes in the Rowing NZ's elite squad. Sources have told RNZ some athletes are uneasy about being swept up in a broad, team-wide probe due to the actions of an individual, while others are concerned about the impact the incident will have on the team's upcoming World Cup and World Championship campaign. It is understood Rumble, who had been selected for the upcoming World Cup events in Italy and Switzerland, resumed training with the team shortly after returning to New Zealand. Asked whether the athlete would still be travelling to Europe in light of the events of earlier this month, Rowing NZ said the team announced on 21 March will attend the next World Cup event in Varese, Italy. Rowing NZ insists its approach has been measured and appropriate. "We have responded proactively with an independent review," said Wickham. "It would be premature to comment on any outcomes or actions until that review has concluded." Commodore of the Seattle Yacht Club, Randy Holbrook, declined to comment on the 3 May incident "to maintain the integrity" of Rowing's NZ's review process. However Holbrook said the New Zealand coaching staff displayed "exemplary professionalism in working with us". "We recognise New Zealand as one of the world's top rowing programmes and we'd be honoured to welcome them back to our Club on any future trips to the US Pacific Northwest." The Windermere Cup is an annual rowing event held as part of the Seattle Yacht Club's opening day of the boating season. Aimed at showcasing the might of the University of Washington's rowing programme, each year the college invites international teams to contest the trophy. This year Rowing NZ were invited to send a women's and men's eights crew to the regatta. The New Zealand men finished second behind the Washington crew, which included three oarsmen from New Zealand: Ben Shortt, Harry Fitzpatrick and Olympic silver medallist Logan Ullrich. In response to written questions, a spokesperson for the University of Washington said the organisation "would not have any comment on this". High Performance Sport NZ, which provides $6 million in annual funding to Rowing NZ's elite programmes, are understood to have been briefed on the incident and are being kept updated on the review. RNZ has attempted to contact Rumble without success.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Cop who stomped on man during South Auckland arrest resigns, avoids prosecution after police investigation
By Al Williams, Open Justice reporter of Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller Police decided not to charge an officer who stomped on a man during an arrest, saying that despite having enough evidence to prosecute, it wasn't in the public interest to do so. The alleged assault happened during a family harm callout at a home in Ōtara, South Auckland in 2023. According to a summary from the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), two police officers were trying to handcuff the man but he resisted by keeping his arms at his sides. He was then tackled to the ground and punched by one of the officers. When the man tried to get to his feet, the same officer used his knee to strike the man in the head, before later stomping on his torso. "CCTV footage captured footage of the man's arrest and the force used against him," the IPCA said. The man's pregnant partner, who was watching on and threw pot plants at the officer to try to stop the assault, was also arrested. She claimed she was "man-handled" while handcuffed, causing her to fall belly-first down concrete steps, and that she was struck on the back of her neck. A complaint that police used excessive force when arresting the couple was later laid. The officer resigned during the investigation, which eventually found allegations excessive force was used on the woman were unsubstantiated. However, there was evidence regarding the alleged assault on her partner. "There was sufficient evidence to charge the officer with assaulting the man. However, police determined it would not be in the public interest to prosecute the officer." The IPCA, which oversaw a police investigation into the incident, said in its summary it agreed with the police findings and "overall accepts the outcome reached". Counties Manukau district commander Superintendent Shanan Gray said police assess each report pursuant to the Solicitor General's prosecution guidelines, which include a public interest test, among other criteria. "When there is sufficient evidence to prosecute, police will not hesitate to do so. However, only after determining that that is the most appropriate outcome for a specific situation." When NZME asked police what factors went into deciding what cases were in "the public interest" when it came to prosecuting an officer, police said there was no further comment and the factors were "available online". The two officers were called to the family harm incident on 7 November 2023. When they got there, they spoke to the couple before escorting the man outside the building and arresting him. The man initially complied with the officers' instructions while calling out to his partner, who was on the second-floor balcony of the building and watching events unfold. His partner tried to verbally interject as he was punched and kneed before throwing a clay plant pot, which hit the officer on the back. Both officers then tried to drag the man away from the building. He tried to hold on to a fence and was pulled away. Once pulled free, the officer who had punched and kneed the man then stomped on his torso. The man's partner then threw a plastic plant pot, which missed both police officers. After being handcuffed, the man was escorted to a nearby police car. As additional officers arrived, the officer who had used excessive force against the man re-entered the building and arrested the woman. She alleged the officer "man-handled" her, causing her to fall, handcuffed and belly-first, down concrete stairs. She said he also struck her on the back of the neck when escorting her to a police car. The couple were separately charged with assault. A resisting arrest charge against the man was later withdrawn. The IPCA accepted the police finding that there was evidence that the officer man-handled the woman, caused her to fall, or struck her on the back of the neck. In reviewing the matter, the Crown offered no evidence in respect of the woman's charge of assault with a weapon, which the IPCA said was subsequently dismissed by the court. Despite the officer's resignation, police concluded his employment process followed Public Service Commission guidelines. Gray said police acknowledged the authority's summary. "Police acknowledge the IPCA's summary report following a complaint that an officer used excessive force when arresting a man and his pregnant partner. "We note the authority is satisfied with the outcome of the investigation." - This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald .
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Holiday road toll: 4 dead and at least 10 injured
The official road toll period will end at 6am on Tuesday. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi Four people have been killed and at least 10 injured in separate crashes in the first two days of the long weekend. A woman died in hospital on Sunday after her vehicle rolled on Tuakau Bridge-Port Waikato Road in Waikato on Friday, just a few hours after the holiday road toll period began. Three others were injured in the single vehicle crash. A man died several hours later in a crash in the Waipā district, also in Waikato, after his vehicle left the road and rolled into a paddock. Just after midnight Saturday a person died in a two vehicle crash south of Kawakawa in Northland. And on Saturday night a man died after his car ended up on its roof on State Highway 16 in Auckland. Four people were taken to hospital, two in a serious condition and two in moderate condition. The official road toll period will end at 6am on Tuesday. Last year, three people died on the roads during the King's Birthday holiday weekend.
