
IPC President Andrew Parsons Set For Historic Aotearoa New Zealand Tour
Connecting with key strategic partners to help harness the power of the Paralympic Movement and contribute real change to Aotearoa New Zealand, Parsons will participate in a jam-packed schedule once arriving in Auckland on Wednesday (21 May) morning.
International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Andrew Parsons is set to be proudly hosted by Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) during an historic tour of Aotearoa New Zealand this week.
Connecting with key strategic partners to help harness the power of the Paralympic Movement and contribute real change to Aotearoa New Zealand, Parsons will participate in a jam-packed schedule once arriving in Auckland on Wednesday (21 May) morning.
Experiencing his second time in Aotearoa New Zealand, the most influential person in the global Paralympic Movement will later on Wednesday morning fly to Wellington where he will be welcomed by Sport NZ CEO Raelene Castle and Sport NZ colleagues, before attending a meeting with Hon. Mark Mitchell, the Minister for Sport and Recreation.
On Thursday, the IPC President since 2017 will be present at a Corporate Breakfast in central Auckland which will feature a panel of three Paralympians – #158 Adam Hall MNZM, #164 Cameron Leslie MNZM and #195 Anna Grimaldi MNZM – and an invited list of key strategic and commercial partners, stakeholders and guests.
He will later attend a private meeting with the Governor General of New Zealand, Her Excellency the Rt HonDame Cindy Kiro GNZM, QSO, who also serves as PNZ Patron.
The Brazilian-born IPC President will also assist with the presentation of PNZ Order of Merit pins to Paralympian #107 Grant Sharman MNZM and Robyn Scott-Vincent MNZM and also meet members of the PNZ Athletes' Council and Staff Team.
On Friday (23 May) – his final full day in Aotearoa New Zealand – he will attend the PNZ Athletes' Council meeting, as well as watch and present Para swimming medals at the New Zealand Swimming Championships hosted at the Sir Owen G Glenn Aquatic Centre at AUT Millennium. He will fly out of Auckland to Vanuatu on Saturday (24 May) morning as part of his ongoing tour of the Oceania region.
Paralympics NZ Chair Jana Rangooni said: 'It is a huge honour and a privilege for the IPC President Andrew Parsons to be here in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Paralympic Games are the third largest global sporting event in the world behind the Olympic Games and FIFA Football World Cup. The IPC President's time here will shine a light on the Paralympic Movement and the transformative power of the Paralympic Games and Para sport, which will help us in our quest for a fully inclusive society in Aotearoa New Zealand.'
IPC President Andrew Parsons said of his upcoming visit to New Zealand: 'I'm really excited to be visiting Paralympics New Zealand, a nation with a rich Paralympic history and heritage that regularly punches above its weight in all areas on the world stage.
'During my visit I'm eager to learn more about Paralympics New Zealand's work to better understand the challenges they are facing and also take in some of their key learnings that have consistently made them one of the best performing nations per capita at the Paralympic Games.
'As with every visit, I'm also keen to meet Para athletes who are the beating heart of the Paralympic Movement.'
Notes:
About the New Zealand Paralympic Team
NZ Paralympic Team strives to challenge perceptions towards disability, showcasing high performance athletes who prove anything is possible.
Since Tel Aviv 1968 Paralympic Games, 237 New Zealand Paralympians have been part of New Zealand Paralympic Teams competing at 27 Paralympic Games (15 summer and 12 winter) winning a staggering 245 medals (210 in summer and 35 in winter).
About Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ)
Paralympics New Zealand is the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) for New Zealand. We are a charity and our overall vision is 'Transforming lives through Para sport'. As a member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), we are part of a worldwide social change movement, which uses the power of sport to positively influence community perceptions of disabled people and to promote a more diverse and inclusive society.
To do this, we support and celebrate the achievements of Para athletes at international and national competitions all year round. Every two years, we lead New Zealand teams to the Paralympic Games. We also work in the local community to advocate for sport to become more accessible for disabled people and to support the creation of more systems and programmes to enable participation in Para sport.
Our funding comes from a mix of public donations, fundraisers, philanthropic partners, commercial partners, plus government and community grants, which together make our Para sport, community and advocacy programmes possible.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Coroner wants tougher controls on boxing events
By Adam Burns of RNZ A coroner is calling for legislation to control corporate boxing events after a Christchurch man died after receiving 30 blows to the head in a charity bout. Coroner Heather McKenzie's findings and recommendations following Kain Parson's death comes as the government considers repealing law governing the sport. The coroner's 140-page report, released today, is almost seven years after the death in 2018 as a result of severe head injuries sustained during the Fight for Christchurch event. Parsons' family had previously called for corporate boxing to be banned and, while their view has not changed, they largely support the coroner's recommendations for tougher controls. McKenzie recommended a review of legislative controls around corporate boxing, including the need for a specialist body to govern such events, as well as a review of certain rules of the sport itself. In November 2018, Parsons took part in the charity boxing event at Wolfbrook Arena, then known as Horncastle Arena. In the first round, he was given three standing eight counts. Less than a minute into the second round, he was knocked to the canvas and the bout was called off. Parsons was taken to hospital, but died four days later. His widow, Alana Parsons, described her husband as someone willing to give anything a go. "Family was everything to him," she said. "He was a guy who would drop his hat and do anything for anyone. He was always willing to give a hand to anyone out there. "He loved to give anything a go. He enjoyed his outdoor sports - freediving and mountain biking." The coroner found Parsons sustained almost 30 blows to the head in less than three minutes. 'Living in a dark age' A boxing expert told the inquiry the fight should have been called off earlier - a view echoed by Parsons' father-in-law Pete Benny. Dr Benny told RNZ his son-in-law was let down by an "old-fashioned and outdated" corporate boxing culture. "Each of those 29 or 30 punches would've been enough to pull someone out of a rugby match for a head injury assessment," he said. "We're living in a dark age if we continue corporate boxing as it is now." Coroner McKenzie found there was insufficient evidence as to whether referee Kevin Pyne should have called the fight off earlier, or whether he was right to allow it to continue. "I have made a finding that Mr Pyne could have taken further, more focused available steps to assess Mr Parsons' ability to continue the match after the third standing eight count." However, she recommended the standing eight count test undergo a review as to whether it was fit for purpose. Alana Parsons said participants needed to be provided with better information about the risks. "They signed a waiver at the beginning before any of the training occurred. It lists it, but it's a piece of paper given to anyone really. It's not informed enough," she said. The coroner held a similar view and suggested more accessible education for participants and consent waivers be signed closer to scheduled fights - similar to rules for pre-fight medical assessments. When preparing for the fight, Parsons took a two-week break from training, partly due to a possible concussion during sparring. Benny said his son-in-law was not sure of who to report that to. "He was asymptomatic at the time, but he didn't report that because he didn't think he needed to. There were no rules and regulations to do that." McKenzie suggested an agreed process for the reporting of actual and suspected head injuries. The charity boxing event was officiated under the rules and regulations of the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association (NZPBA). Interim president Jo Gallagher said the association welcomed the coroner's recommendations and its rules and regulations were under review. "We've made headgear compulsory on all corporate boxing events, this is not a consistent rule across other sanctioning bodies," she said. "We have a notice of motion on the table for our upcoming AGM about pre-fight medicals the day before a event. We're looking at what that looks like going forward." This could include mandatory consultations with GPs when participants are training, Gallagher said. The NZPBA has also asked both participants and trainers to disclose any possible concussions during sparring. Proposal to repeal 'outdated' Boxing and Wrestling Act The government has proposed repealing the Boxing and Wresting Act. Coroner McKenzie recommended a review of the legislation to specifically consider how corporate boxing was regulated, including whether a single central body was needed. "The specific context of corporate boxing includes relatively novice fighters participating in a specialised sport generally known to carry inherent risks and as such subject to a legislative regime." Under the act, there were 32 organisations registered under the Department of Internal Affairs to run corporate boxing events. Gallagher endorsed repealing the act. "There needs to be clearer expectation, processing and reporting protocols in all areas of our sport, not just in the sanctioning and officiating. There absolutely needs to be an overhaul." Kain Parsons' family felt potential changes to the law were critical, but would ultimately be too late. "I hope everyone pulls together collaboratively to give the best rules and protections of the fighters," Benny said. "I hope corporate boxing is seen as a separate element because it's so different, and they're able to define the duty of care to each fighter and put in sanctions if that duty of care is not fulfilled." In a statement, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said any death from combat sports was an "avoidable tragedy that nobody wants to see happen in New Zealand". "My thoughts are with Mr Parsons' family and friends during this difficult time." The act stipulated amateur and professional fights required a police permit, but did not cover other combat sports including mixed martial arts. The proposal to repeal the 44-year-old legislation was because it was outdated and too narrow, van Velden said. "It is preferable to have one clear and modern legislative framework for all combat sports. "Sport New Zealand are the lead co-ordinating agency considering current issues with combat sports including a potential government response, and DIA was supporting them with this along with other relevant agencies." The repeal of the act will proceed to select committee later this year.


Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Coroner calls for tougher rules on corporate boxing events after death of Chch dad
By Adam Burns of RNZ A coroner is calling for legislation to control corporate boxing events after Christchurch man Kain Parsons died after receiving 30 blows to the head in a charity bout. Coroner Heather McKenzie's findings and recommendations following Parson's death come as the government considers repealing law governing the sport. The coroner's 140-page report, released on Wednesday, comes almost seven years after Parsons died as a result of severe head injuries sustained during the Fight for Christchurch event. His family has previously called for corporate boxing to be banned and, while their view has not changed, they largely support the coroner's recommendations for tougher controls. Coroner McKenzie recommended a review of legislative controls around corporate boxing, including the need for a specialist body to govern such events, as well as a review of certain rules of the sport itself. In November 2018, Parsons took part in the charity boxing event at Wolfbrook Arena, then known as Horncastle Arena. In the first round, Parsons was given three standing eight counts. Less than a minute into the second round, he was knocked to the canvas and the bout was called off. Parsons was taken to hospital, but died four days later. Kain Parsons with two of his children. Photo: Supplied His widow, Alana Parsons, described her husband as someone willing to give anything a go. "Family was everything to him," she said. "He was a guy who would drop his hat and do anything for anyone. He was always willing to give a hand to anyone out there. "He loved to give anything a go. He enjoyed his outdoor sports - freediving and mountain biking." The coroner found Parsons sustained almost 30 blows to the head in less than three minutes. 'Living in a dark age' A boxing expert told the inquiry the fight should have been called off earlier. It was a view echoed by Parsons' father-in-law Dr Pete Benny. He told RNZ his son-in-law was let down by an "old fashioned and outdated" corporate boxing culture. "Each of those 29 or 30 punches would've been enough to pull someone out of a rugby match for a head injury assessment," he said. "We're living in a dark age if we continue corporate boxing as it is now." Kain Parsons, centre, died seven years after taking part in a Fight for Life bout. Photo: Supplied Coroner McKenzie found there was insufficient evidence as to whether referee Kevin Pyne should have called the fight off earlier, or whether he was right to allow it to continue. "I have made a finding that Mr Pyne could have taken further, more focused available steps to assess Mr Parsons' ability to continue the match after the third standing eight count." However, she recommended the standing eight count test undergo a review as to whether it was fit for purpose. Parsons said participants needed to be provided with better information about the risks. "They signed a waiver at the beginning before any of the training occurred. It lists it, but it's a piece of paper given to anyone really. It's not informed enough," she said. The coroner held a similar view and suggested more accessible education for participants and consent waivers be signed closer to scheduled fights - similar to rules for pre-fight medical assessments. When preparing for the fight, Parsons took a two-week break from training, partly due to a possible concussion during sparring. Benny said his son-in-law was not sure of who to report that to. "He was asymptomatic at the time, but he didn't report that because he didn't think he needed to," Benny said. "There were no rules and regulations to do that." The coroner suggested an agreed process for the reporting of actual and suspected head injuries. The charity boxing event was officiated under the rules and regulations of the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association (NZPBA). NZPBA interim president Jo Gallagher said the association welcomed the coroner's recommendations with the association's rules and regulations under review. "We've made headgear compulsory on all corporate boxing events, this is not a consistent rule across other sanctioning bodies," she said. "We have a notice of motion on the table for our upcoming AGM about pre-fight medicals the day before a event. We're looking at what that looks like going forward." This could include mandatory GP consultations when participants are training, Gallagher said. The NZPBA has also asked both participants and trainers to disclose any possible concussions during sparring. Proposal to repeal 'outdated' Boxing and Wrestling Act - Minister The government has proposed repealing the Boxing and Wresting Act. Coroner McKenzie recommended a review of the legislation to specifically consider how corporate boxing was regulated, including whether a single central body was needed. "The specific context of corporate boxing includes relatively novice fighters participating in a specialised sport generally known to carry inherent risks and as such subject to a legislative regime." Under the act, there were 32 organisations registered under the Department of Internal Affairs to run corporate boxing events. NZPBA's Gallagher endorsed plans to repeal the Act. "There needs to be clearer expectation, processing and reporting protocols in all areas of our sport, not just in the sanctioning and officiating. "There absolutely needs to be an overhaul." Kain Parsons' family felt potential changes to the law were critical, but would ultimately be too late. "I hope everyone pulls together collaboratively to give the best rules and protections of the fighters," Benny said. "I hope corporate boxing is seen as a separate element because it's so different, and they're able to define the duty of care to each fighter and put in sanctions if that duty of care is not fulfilled." In a statement, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said any death from combat sports was an "avoidable tragedy that nobody wants to see happen in New Zealand". "My thoughts are with Mr Parsons' family and friends during this difficult time." The act stipulated amateur and professional fights required a police permit, but did not cover other combat sports including mixed martial arts. The proposal to repeal the 44-year-old legislation was because it was outdated and too narrow, van Velden said. "It is preferable to have one clear and modern legislative framework for all combat sports. "Sport New Zealand are the lead co-ordinating agency considering current issues with combat sports including a potential government response, and DIA was supporting them with this along with other relevant agencies." The repeal of the act will proceed to select committee later this year.

NZ Herald
5 days ago
- NZ Herald
Coroner recommends changes after fatal charity boxing match
The 141-page report recommends that waivers and medical declarations be signed 'as close to the event as reasonably practicable'. It also recommends that they contain specific questions to 'draw out whether a competitor has suffered an actual or suspected head injury/concussion'. Parsons potentially suffered a concussion or head injury during training – weeks before his fight took place. Neither the event promoter nor doctor was made aware of the incident. Parsons' family argued that he wasn't fully aware of the risk involved in the event. The findings recommend greater education for participants. 'Consider a compulsory seminar, say, 12 weeks out from an event for competitors, their trainer, the event doctor, and any other relevant stakeholders. A competitor's family could be encouraged to attend too,' reads the coroner's findings. Parsons' family is pleased with that aspect of the coroner's findings. 'We're pleased about the emphasis on education and proper informed consent, because there never has been informed consent for this,' says Dr Pete Benny, Kain Parsons' father-in-law. Christchurch man Kain Parsons with his daughters. Parsons was killed in a charity boxing match in 2018. Photo / Supplied Kain Parsons Kain Parsons was 37 when he climbed into the ring for a charity boxing match. He was a novice fighter – but had a long and storied history of giving. '[He] would help anyone. All his friends and stuff – he was always doing jobs for them,' says his wife, Alana Parsons. Alana says her husband enjoyed the boxing training and was 'excited' about being asked to participate – but the opportunity to raise money for charity was what 'drew him to the event'. Parsons is remembered by his wife as 'a great dad' to his three children – and was 'just fun to be around'. 'He had so many contacts for an Australian [who] wasn't brought up in Christchurch. He seemed to know more people in Christchurch than I did, and I lived here all my life. It's just the person he was really,' said Alana. Parsons had played rugby up until his death and was known for his teamwork. 'He was just one of those guys that would talk to anyone and then make anyone feel sort of listened to,' said Alana. It was crucial to the Parsons family that the man who always listened could now be heard, even if he couldn't be there in person. The coroner's court would provide that platform and with it an opportunity to push for change in future corporate boxing events. 'He's not here to defend himself, and it's felt like my role for the last six years, I feel like I've had to,' said Alana. Accountability Kain Parsons' mother Cheryl Gascoigne told the Herald the coronial inquest had 'pulled my son's integrity apart'. She felt the finger of blame was often pointed at her son throughout the process. 'Many people that were part of that event insinuated that Kain was responsible for his death,' said Gascoigne. 'I sat through a week of listening to all parties that were involved in Kain's death and at no time did any one of those parties reflect and take responsibility for the part that they played in my son's death.' The coroner found that the referee for the fight could have done more. 'In terms of adverse comments, I have made a finding that [the referee] could have taken further, more focused available steps to assess Mr Parsons' ability to continue the match after the third standing eight count. I cannot make a finding of whether a further, more focused assessment would have resulted in an outcome that [the referee] should have called off the match. 'The above finding equates to there being available to [the referee] the opportunity to further assess Mr Parsons. It is not a finding that he should have called off the match. It is also not a finding that he was correct to allow it to continue. I am unable to make a finding on the evidence before me about whether the match should have been called off,' said the coroner. Kain Parsons with his three children. Photo / Supplied Legislative repeal The coroner's findings recommend the proposed repeal of the Boxing and Wrestling Act 1981 and the Boxing and Wrestling Regulations 1958 and that the Department of Internal Affairs reviews the legislative framework and regulations. It suggests the review should include the 'specific context' of corporate boxing 'to help achieve consistency and a single national standard'. 'Such review might include whether there is a need for a single central body to manage corporate boxing. The specific context of corporate boxing includes relatively novice fighters participating in a specialised sport generally known to carry inherent risks and as such subject to a legislative regime,' said the coroner. In a statement, Minister for Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden said the act is outdated. 'Any death from combat sports is an avoidable tragedy that nobody wants to see happen in New Zealand. My thoughts are with Mr Parsons' family and friends during this difficult time. 'The Boxing and Wrestling Act 1981 is proposed to be repealed because it is outdated and only applies to boxing and wrestling associations; it does not cover other popular forms of combat sport, such as mixed-martial arts or variations of combat sport that carry greater risk. 'It is preferable to have one clear and modern legislative framework for all combat sports. Sport NZ are the lead co-ordinating agency considering current issues with combat sports, including a potential government response, and DIA are supporting them with this along with other relevant agencies. 'The repeal of the Boxing and Wrestling Act is proposed to be done through the Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill which will proceed to select committee later this year. The public will be able to have their say during this process.' The Government's involvement is welcomed by Parsons' family – though Gascoigne is extremely cautious with her optimism. 'That will take many, many months if not years to come to fruition. And it will only come to fruition if all parties are prepared to tackle it with care, with duty of care in mind. And after what I saw in that court, I have no confidence that that will happen,' she said. The Parsons family: Kain, Alana and their three children. Kain suffered a severe head injury during the 2018 Fight for Christchurch charity boxing event. Photo / Supplied Coronial delay The coroner acknowledged the length of time between Parsons' death and the beginning of her inquest. 'Mr Parsons died in early November 2018 and the inquest took place approximately six years later. I became the coroner responsible for the inquiry into Mr Parsons' death in June 2021. As the inquiry has progressed, there have been various reasons for delay, largely relating to engaging expert witnesses and securing a courtroom for the inquest hearing. The time it has taken to reach the inquest is very regrettable,' she noted. The delay has made the grieving process difficult for Parsons' family. 'The delays and delays and delays don't allow the normal healing processes to occur because you're always waiting for something to happen,' says Pete Benny. 'A year or so ago, we kind of were in quite a good spot. We were sort of trying to move forward. This brings it all back again,' Alana added. His mother Gascoigne said it also impacted the inquest itself, saying that the coroner referred 'many times to the fact that it had been a very long time'. 'We did finally get an outcome, but then it was all around the length of time and the evidence that was available and 'I can't rule on that evidence because it's taken too long' and 'that evidence is no longer available to me' or whatever the case may be. I believe that we would have had a much firmer outcome had it been addressed earlier,' she said. Gascoigne believes the inquest was only heard last year because of steps the family themselves took to push it along. 'I know I'm highly emotive, but I feel that the justice system in the length of time it took to get here, and the only reason it did was because we as a family hired counsel to get them to bring it to the forefront,' said Gascoigne. 'It's been such a drawn-out process really, so it's tiring and it's still going, but I suppose in some ways there, there are things that will hopefully change how, you know, these fights are run,' says Alana Parsons.