
Top NZ rower Zack Rumble apologises over Seattle incident, cops booze ban
'I take full responsibility for my actions, what I did was wrong, and I acknowledge that it was not okay, and will never be acceptable. I am doing everything possible to ensure that an event like this never happens again.'
What police say happened after the party
Rowing NZ has previously declined to provide any details of what led to one of its athletes being detained for nearly 48 hours at Washington State's King County Correctional Facility.
However, the official arrest report, obtained through the Seattle Police Department's public records office, has shed further light on the incident.
The report says Rumble was arrested on two counts of assault and one of obstructing a public officer following a dramatic escalation of events as a result of Rumble fleeing from police during questioning.
The charges against the rower were later dismissed.
Zack Rumble (third from left) is a member of the New Zealand's men's four crew. Photo / Rowing NZ 2025
According to the documents, police were called to the Seattle Yacht Club at 10.43pm following reports of 'two intoxicated guests fighting'.
On arrival at the yacht club, officers were flagged down by staff and pointed in the direction of Rumble. The Kiwi was described by officers as initially being co-operative.
However, according to the officer questioning Rumble, while she was awaiting her colleague to gather witness statements, the rower took a video call from a friend who encouraged him to join them at another party.
'About 30 seconds later, Rumble said, 'alright, bye', and pushed me on my left shoulder and took off running eastbound,' the officer described in her report.
As her male colleague gave chase on foot, a member of the yacht club pulled up in their pick-up truck and offered the officer a ride. She climbed into the bed of the truck and joined the pursuit of the Kiwi athlete.
Rumble was found hiding under a bush in the front yard of a residential property about 400m away, according to the report.
The officer described Rumble as being 'non-compliant in coming out with his hands up'. He was eventually detained by another officer and taken into custody at 11.58pm.
The scuffle
The New Zealand rowing team made up of a men's and women's eight had been invited guests of the yacht club having competed in the prestigious Windermere Cup, which is traditionally held on the opening day of the boating season in Seattle.
According to the event's website, prizegiving festivities kicked off at 12.30pm. Ten hours later, Rumble was at the yacht club.
According to witness reports obtained by Seattle Police, Rumble had been causing 'multiple disturbances' at the party, including throwing empty cups at other patrons.
Zack Rumble (third from left) in action with the men's four crew at the World Cup in Varese, Italy in June. Photo / Rowing NZ 2025
Eventually, Rumble left the group. When he attempted to go back inside the party, one of the patrons tried to talk to Rumble and advised him to go home as his teammates had left.
The report states: 'Rumble then reached around and grabbed [the victim] around his waist. [The victim] advised that Rumble lifted him up off the ground' and he feared he would be thrown to the ground.
Another patron then intervened and pushed Rumble into the wall to stop him from hurting the victim, according to witness statements. The Kiwi received a cut above the eye in the scuffle.
When questioned by officers, Rumble gave several different versions of events.
'When officers confronted Rumble about his changing story, he advised that he did not remember what happened.'
The officer observed that Rumble appeared 'highly intoxicated' but was 'co-operative the entirety of the time of waiting' until he fled the scene. She said Rumble ignored several commands from police to stop.
The review
The 'distressing' events in Seattle sparked major logistical and financial headaches for Rowing NZ officials.
The national body previously told RNZ one of the coaching staff remained in the US to support Rumble as he dealt with law enforcement.
'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 said.
Upon the team's return, Rowing NZ 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 has reportedly caused division among the athletes in its elite squad.
Rumble was allowed to travel to Europe last month to compete in World Cup events in Italy and Switzerland as part of the men's four crew, leading to concerns it demonstrated a lack of accountability for bad behaviour.
Wickham said Rowing NZ's response had been measured and appropriate.
'Rowing NZ felt it was important to gather and consider all information before any decisions were made in regard to this tour and any future tours. The independent review ensured that any members of our team had the opportunity to express any views or concerns they had about the tour in confidence.'
Following the completion of the review and discussions with Rumble, Rowing NZ imposed a range of sanctions and remedial actions.
The sanctions include a 'significant financial penalty' and a final written warning, 'understanding any further breaches of the athlete agreement, code of conduct or Rowing New Zealand's core values may jeopardise Zack's future in the programme'.
Rumble has also agreed to undergo professional counselling and complete an alcohol education course. He will be barred from drinking any alcohol while representing Rowing NZ, at least until the education and counselling programmes are completed.
He will formally apologise to Rowing NZ and the athletes and staff affected.
Wickham declined to release the full review, but he said findings indicate Rowing NZ can be confident the full squad 'behaved in accordance with expectations' on the tour, 'the significant exception to that being Zack Rumble's behaviours on the last evening'.
'Rowing NZ will continue to ensure that expectations around behaviours of our team [athletes, staff and all support team members] are clear and that being positive role models, being professional and maintaining high personal standards are a part of who we are and what we do.'
-RNZ

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


NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Whitsundays boat arson: Kiwi Sandra Lee Cootes pleads guilty to $400k damage
A Kiwi has pleaded guilty to arson after she deliberately doused her former partner's boat in petrol and set it alight, causing an eye-watering $400k damage bill.


Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Westenra 'heartbroken' over friends' deaths in LA homicide
Kiwi singer Hayley Westenra singing with Thomas Deluca. Photo: Instagram/Hayley Westenra Kiwi singer Hayley Westenra says she's "completely heartbroken" after learning of the double homicide of her long-time friends American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas Deluca. The Los Angeles Police Department said the couple, both 70, were found dead with gunshot wounds on July 14, 2025, but their investigation found a radio call had been made about a possible burglary at their home four days earlier. Police believe the couple returned home and were confronted by the suspect, who already gained entry. Police said a 22-year-old suspect has now been arrested and charged with murder. In a message posted on social media, Westenra said she only found out the news of the death of her "surrogate aunty and uncle" this morning. "They were the KINDEST of souls. I'd met Robin & Tom over 20 years ago through work and then we became lifelong friends," the 38-year-old said. "I stayed with them many times including my last night in LA when I was escaping a very bad relationship (they likely saved my life)." Westenra shared a video of her and Deluca performing Lovers Game, which she said Kaye wanted her to post when they had been messaging a few months ago. Music superviser Robin Kaye attends The 7th Annual Guild Of Music Supervisors Awards on 16 February, 2017 in Hollywood, California. Photo:for Guild of Music Supervisors/AFP She said she had written a number of songs with Deluca and they had also been meaning to do a proper release for Greener Lands, which she performed live at Carnegie Hall. "I want people to remember them this way … bright, loyal & loving souls." Born in Christchurch, Westenra rose to fame after she signed with Universal Records New Zealand at the age of 12 and released a self-titled album in 2001. In a statement, a spokesperson for the American Idol series told ABC that Kaye had been with the TV show since 2009. "We are devastated to hear of Robin and her dear husband, Tom's, passing," the spokesperson said in a statement. "Robin has been a cornerstone of the Idol family since 2009 and was truly loved and respected by all who came in contact with her. Robin will remain in our hearts forever and we share our deepest sympathy with her family and friends during this difficult time." Kaye also served as music supervisor on Lip Sync Battle, After the Sunset, The Singing Bee and Q'Viva!: The Chosen as well as multiple Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. Singer and musician Deluca released his own albums Down to the Wire (produced by James Guthrie, Pink Floyd) and Street Rock, and had composed songs for artists like Kid Rock, Micky Dolenz and Diesel.


Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Kiwi singer 'heartbroken' over friends' deaths in LA homicide
Kiwi singer Hayley Westenra says she's "completely heartbroken" after learning of the double homicide of her long-time friends American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas Deluca. The Los Angeles Police Department said the couple, both 70, were found dead with gunshot wounds on July 14, 2025, but their investigation found a radio call had been made about a possible burglary at their home four days earlier. Police believe the couple returned home and were confronted by the suspect, who already gained entry. Police said a 22-year-old suspect has now been arrested and charged with murder. In a message posted on social media, Westenra said she only found out the news of the death of her "surrogate aunty and uncle" this morning. "They were the KINDEST of souls. I'd met Robin & Tom over 20 years ago through work and then we became lifelong friends," the 38-year-old said. "I stayed with them many times including my last night in LA when I was escaping a very bad relationship (they likely saved my life)." Westenra shared a video of her and Deluca performing Lovers Game , which she said Kaye wanted her to post when they had been messaging a few months ago. She said she had written a number of songs with Deluca and they had also been meaning to do a proper release for Greener Lands , which she performed live at Carnegie Hall. "I want people to remember them this way … bright, loyal & loving souls." Born in Christchurch, Westenra rose to fame after she signed with Universal Records New Zealand at the age of 12 and released a self-titled album in 2001. In a statement, a spokesperson for the American Idol series told ABC that Kaye had been with the TV show since 2009. "We are devastated to hear of Robin and her dear husband, Tom's, passing," the spokesperson said in a statement. "Robin has been a cornerstone of the Idol family since 2009 and was truly loved and respected by all who came in contact with her. Robin will remain in our hearts forever and we share our deepest sympathy with her family and friends during this difficult time." Kaye also served as music supervisor on Lip Sync Battle , After the Sunset , The Singing Bee and Q'Viva!: The Chosen as well as multiple Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. Singer and musician Deluca released his own albums Down to the Wire (produced by James Guthrie, Pink Floyd) and Street Rock , and had composed songs for artists like Kid Rock, Micky Dolenz and Diesel.