Latest news with #HPSNZ
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Shake up of Sport New Zealand in the pipeline
The funding of elite athletes means trade-offs need to be made, says an independent review of Sport NZ Photo: Photosport / AFP A shake up of Sport New Zealand is being undertaken following an independent review into the organisation which is responsible for sport and recreation nationally. Sport New Zealand also includes High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ), which funds elite sport and has an annual budget of $194 million - $84 million of which goes to HPSNZ. The review was carried out by Brendan Boyle, who has is a former chief executive of the Ministry of Social Development, Department of Internal Affairs and Land Information NZ. Boyle suggested there should be a review of Sport New Zealand's current strategy, stating the organisation faces strategic choices and trade-offs when it comes to investing in the likes of Olympic medals and success versus national sports participation. The main recommendations focus on potential changes to governance arrangements, which Sports Minister Mark Mitchell said he will follow through on. The review noted "current arrangements create a potential conflict of interest for Sport NZ in being both policy and advisor as well as the decision-maker for funding." It added "(that) make(s) it difficult for Sport NZ policy to be well integrated into the wider government policy network and agenda." That will see Sport NZ's policy function move to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage from October. Mark Mitchell, Police Minister, Minister for Sport and Recreation Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi "Shifting the strategic policy function to a government agency will ensure a more consistent and integrated approach on government priorities and other policy decisions across portfolios like education and health," said Mr Mitchell. The review also recommended disbanding the HPSNZ and Taumata Māori boards and consolidating them into a single board and creating HPSNZ and Taumata Māori advisory groups. It noted though that rationalisation was unlikely to provide any cost savings and "any change would be driven by strategic reasons rather than an expectation of savings." The government has rejected that recommendation, opting to keep the current three board structure of a Sport NZ board, an HPSNZ board and the Taumata Māori Board. Boyle said questions raised during his review the indicated a strategy review was also needed to ensure "whether funds are all aligned to government priorities." "This will also aid in clarifying what the minister wants the focus and core business of Sport to be and by implication what it should not be spending resources or funding on." Boyle pointed out Sport NZ proposes to stop the funding of Hawaiki Hou, a community-led programme to improve physical activity levels among children and young people. This will free up $9.5 million that can be reprioritised into other sport and recreation programmes.
Otago Daily Times
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Podmore inquest: Family condemn sports leadership
The mother and stepfather of Olivia Podmore say Cycling New Zealand and High Performance Sport NZ chose medals over the welfare of their daughter. This week saw the final few days of the coronial inquest into the death of the former Olympic cyclist. Six months of harrowing evidence revealed the enormous pressure she was under after unwittingly exposing an affair between a coach and another athlete - leading to stigma and isolation within her team. Olivia died in a suspected suicide in 2021, one day after the Tokyo Olympics - which she wasn't selected for - ended. A subsequent investigation into Cycling New Zealand (Cycling NZ) revealed bullying and a lack of accountability. Olivia's mother Nienke and her stepfather Chris Middleton told RNZ's Susie Ferguson on the Saturday Morning programme that the inquest revealed the institutions responsible for elite athlete care prioritised medals and image over well-being. "You think, how could it possibly be allowed to happen in this modern time? You know what's going on, yet they turned a blind eye." Though Cycling NZ and HPSNZ expressed remorse during the inquest, her parents questioned the sincerity. The coroner's findings are expected in the coming months, but the inquest has already revealed an alarming number of red flags. A 2018 independent review revealed a litany of failings - not just among Cycling NZ's leadership, but deep systemic issues in the wider high-performance system. Despite this, the report was "amended" by the national body ahead of the report's publication to exclude key details documenting the treatment of Podmore. For Olivia's family, this pattern of ignored complaints and censorship raises a key question. Why now? Parents doubt promised reforms Despite Cycling NZ and HPSNZ's insistence that athlete well-being is now a top priority, Nienke and Chris said they have little faith in real change within the organisation. The inquest revealed repeated missed opportunities to support Olivia. Emails were sent. Concerns were raised. But little was done. "There were quite a few, people that tried to alert people at the top. But it just got stonewalled every time." Both organisations issued public statements asserting that athlete wellbeing is now central to their strategy. HPSNZ said it has "significantly reshaped its systems" since 2021, while Cycling NZ told the inquest Olivia's experience "should never have happened." But the Middletons are calling for deeper accountability, including independent oversight and changes in leadership. "How do you suddenly change your culture and become a whole different beast? "The advice wasn't taken then. So why would it be different? 'The whistleblower was blamed' - isolation and rumours Among the most heartbreaking revelations of the inquest was how Podmore was treated after exposing a coach-athlete affair. Team dynamics shifted sharply, with Podmore becoming isolated from peers and unsupported by staff. She was subjected to social exclusion and persistent rumours. "One of the things that people don't realise... after this coach-athlete affair was that for quite a few years - because they had named suppression like people actually thought Olivia was the one having the affair," Nienke said. "So it was not only did she have the shame of being the whistleblower... she had the shame of that as well. A double whammy, if you like." She believed the emotional strain was compounded by this distortion of events. 'She did everything right' Nienke said her daughter did everything right, and despite battling stigma and rejection she kept training and racing. "I'm just surprised that throughout this process with everything that was going on that she didn't actually lose her composure at all on the track or in the cycling environment. "Whereas if it was myself, I probably would have, there would have been some big outburst or... but she never ever lost her load." Although proud of her daughter, Nienke said, in the end, Olivia was exhausted by the system she trusted. "She's never had a proper platform to showcase how talented she was at cycling. "She's never actually gone into an Olympic cycle with a proper chance and a clean slate to show what she can do." Where to get help Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202 Samaritans: 0800 726 666 Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@ What's Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English. Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254 Healthline: 0800 611 116 Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155 OUTLine: 0800 688 5463 Aoake te Rā bereaved by suicide service: or call 0800 000 053 If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
Otago Daily Times
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Podmore inquest: sports leadership 'turned a blind eye'
The mother and stepfather of Olivia Podmore say Cycling New Zealand and High Performance Sport NZ chose medals over the welfare of their daughter. This week saw the final few days of the coronial inquest into the death of the former Olympic cyclist. Six months of harrowing evidence revealed the enormous pressure she was under after unwittingly exposing an affair between a coach and another athlete - leading to stigma and isolation within her team. Olivia died in a suspected suicide in 2021, one day after the Tokyo Olympics - which she wasn't selected for - ended. A subsequent investigation into Cycling New Zealand (Cycling NZ) revealed bullying and a lack of accountability. Olivia's mother Nienke and her stepfather Chris Middleton told RNZ's Susie Ferguson on the Saturday Morning programme that the inquest revealed the institutions responsible for elite athlete care prioritised medals and image over well-being. "You think, how could it possibly be allowed to happen in this modern time? You know what's going on, yet they turned a blind eye." Though Cycling NZ and HPSNZ expressed remorse during the inquest, her parents questioned the sincerity. The coroner's findings are expected in the coming months, but the inquest has already revealed an alarming number of red flags. A 2018 independent review revealed a litany of failings - not just among Cycling NZ's leadership, but deep systemic issues in the wider high-performance system. Despite this, the report was "amended" by the national body ahead of the report's publication to exclude key details documenting the treatment of Podmore. For Olivia's family, this pattern of ignored complaints and censorship raises a key question. Why now? Parents doubt promised reforms Despite Cycling NZ and HPSNZ's insistence that athlete well-being is now a top priority, Nienke and Chris said they have little faith in real change within the organisation. The inquest revealed repeated missed opportunities to support Olivia. Emails were sent. Concerns were raised. But little was done. "There were quite a few, people that tried to alert people at the top. But it just got stonewalled every time." Both organisations issued public statements asserting that athlete wellbeing is now central to their strategy. HPSNZ said it has "significantly reshaped its systems" since 2021, while Cycling NZ told the inquest Olivia's experience "should never have happened." But the Middletons are calling for deeper accountability, including independent oversight and changes in leadership. "How do you suddenly change your culture and become a whole different beast? "The advice wasn't taken then. So why would it be different? 'The whistleblower was blamed' - isolation and rumours Among the most heartbreaking revelations of the inquest was how Podmore was treated after exposing a coach-athlete affair. Team dynamics shifted sharply, with Podmore becoming isolated from peers and unsupported by staff. She was subjected to social exclusion and persistent rumours. "One of the things that people don't realise... after this coach-athlete affair was that for quite a few years - because they had named suppression like people actually thought Olivia was the one having the affair," Nienke said. "So it was not only did she have the shame of being the whistleblower... she had the shame of that as well. A double whammy, if you like." She believed the emotional strain was compounded by this distortion of events. 'She did everything right' Nienke said her daughter did everything right, and despite battling stigma and rejection she kept training and racing. "I'm just surprised that throughout this process with everything that was going on that she didn't actually lose her composure at all on the track or in the cycling environment. "Whereas if it was myself, I probably would have, there would have been some big outburst or... but she never ever lost her load." Although proud of her daughter, Nienke said, in the end, Olivia was exhausted by the system she trusted. "She's never had a proper platform to showcase how talented she was at cycling. "She's never actually gone into an Olympic cycle with a proper chance and a clean slate to show what she can do." Where to get help Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202 Samaritans: 0800 726 666 Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@ What's Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English. Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254 Healthline: 0800 611 116 Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155 OUTLine: 0800 688 5463 Aoake te Rā bereaved by suicide service: or call 0800 000 053 If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
RNZ News
26-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Olivia Podmore inquest: 'They turned a blind eye' - family condemn sports leadership
Olivia Podmore's mother Nienke and her stepfather Chris Middleton. Photo: NZME/George Heard The mum and stepfather of Olivia Podmore say Cycling New Zealand and High Performance Sport NZ (HPSNZ) chose medals over the welfare of their daughter. This week saw the final few days of the coronial inquest into the death of the former Olympic cyclist. Six months of harrowing evidence revealed the enormous pressure she was under after unwittingly exposing an affair between a coach and another athlete - leading to stigma and isolation within her team. Olivia died in a suspected suicide in 2021, one day after the Tokyo Olympics - which she wasn't selected for - ended. Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore died in 2021. Photo: Supplied / Dianne Manson A subsequent investigation into Cycling New Zealand (Cycling NZ) revealed bullying and a lack of accountability. Olivia's mother Nienke and her stepfather Chris Middleton told RNZ's Susie Ferguson on Saturday Morning that the inquest revealed the institutions responsible for elite athlete care prioritised medals and image over well-being. "You think, how could it possibly be allowed to happen in this modern time?" "You know what's going on, yet they turned a blind eye." While both Cycling NZ and HPSNZ expressed remorse during the inquest, her parents questioned the sincerity. The coroner's findings are expected in the coming months, but the inquest has already revealed an alarming number of red flags. A 2018 independent review revealed a litany of failings - not just among Cycling New Zealand's leadership, but deep systemic issues in the wider high-performance system. Despite this, the report was "amended" by the national body ahead of the report's publication to exclude key details documenting the treatment of Podmore. For Olivia's family, this pattern of ignored complaints and censorship raises a key question. Despite Cycling NZ and HPSNZ's insistence that athlete well-being is now a top priority, Nienke and Chris said they have little faith in real change within the organisation. The inquest revealed repeated missed opportunities to support Olivia. Emails were sent. Concerns were raised. But little was done. Olivia Podmore died in August 2021 in a suspected suicide. Photo: Photosport "There were quite a few, people that tried to alert people at the top. But it just got stonewalled every time." Both organisations issued public statements asserting that athlete wellbeing is now central to their strategy. HPSNZ said it has "significantly reshaped its systems" since 2021, while Cycling NZ told the inquest Olivia's experience "should never have happened." But the Middletons are calling for deeper accountability, including independent oversight and changes in leadership. Podmore's mum Nienke Middleton speaks. Photo: NZ Herald/George Heard "How do you suddenly change your culture and become a whole different beast? "The advice wasn't taken then. So why would it be different? Among the most heartbreaking revelations of the inquest was how Podmore was treated after exposing a coach-athlete affair. Team dynamics shifted sharply, with Podmore becoming isolated from peers and unsupported by staff. She was subjected to social exclusion and persistent rumours. Elite sprint cyclist Olivia Podmore pictured with her mother, Nienke Middleton, at Christchurch Airport in August 2021. The Rio Olympian died in a suspected suicide at her Cambridge flat later that day. Photo: Supplied "One of the things that people don't realise... after this coach-athlete affair was that for quite a few years - because they had named suppression like people actually thought Olivia was the one having the affair," said Nienke. "So it was not only did she have the shame of being the whistleblower... she had the shame of that as well. "A double whammy if you like." Her mum believes the emotional strain was compounded by this distortion of events. Nienke said her daughter did everything right, and despite battling stigma and rejection she kept training and racing. "I'm just surprised that throughout this process with everything that was going on that she didn't actually lose her composure at all on the track or in the cycling environment. "Whereas if it was myself, I probably would have, there would have been some big outburst or... but she never ever lost her load." Elite cyclist Olivia Podmore died in August 2021 in a suspected suicide. Photo: Supplied Although proud of her daughter, Nienke said, in the end, Olivia was exhausted by the system she trusted. "She's never had a proper platform to showcase how talented she was at cycling. "She's never actually gone into an Olympic cycle with a proper chance and a clean slate to show what she can do." If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Parents of Olympian, 24, who took her life the day after the Tokyo Games give shattering insights into her death amid allegations of bullying
A coronial inquest into the death of former New Zealand Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore has heard shattering testimony from her parents and revealed shocking instances of alleged bullying after she inadvertently exposed an affair between a coach and another athlete in the lead-up to the Rio Games. Podmore, 24, took her own life in Waikato the day after the Tokyo Games concluded in August 2021. The track cyclist had failed to qualify for the Games and posted a chilling message on Instagram about the pressures of competing at international level hours before her death. She also left a heartbreaking final message to family and friends. The inquest heard Podmore was allegedly subjected to abuse from a coach who berated her sex life, who also on occasion allegedly whispered in her ear before races 'just don't f***ing crash'. Additionally, the inquest heard other teammates allegedly sent bullying texts ordering Podmore to 'keep your trap shut' and labelled her a 'mental case'. Her parents both broke down in tears as they told the hearing about the loss of their beloved daughter. 'It's now been three years and eight months since the worst day of my life,' her mother Nienke Middleton said. 'That day I had no idea why Livi took her own life. 'The first I heard that Livi had been having health struggles was from [Sport NZ boss] Raelene Castle and Jacques Landry [former Cycling New Zealand CEO] on a television interview the next day. 'People ask us what it's like, does the pain face and have we managed to move on? 'The answer is always no to these questions, we just live with it. I miss Livi just as much as the day I lost her.' Podmore's father Phil also revealed his devastation, saying, 'We will always be proud of Liv and amazed at the courage she showed, lasting as long as she did throughout all of this. 'We love her dearly and know she will live on through all the people she positively influenced in her short but wonderful life.' According to the New Zealand Herald, lawyers acting on behalf of Cycling NZ and High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) looked to emphasise Podmore's personal issues away from cycling, notably an abortion she had when she was a teenager and her parents' separation. Both organisations flagged these as significant contributors to Podmore's mental deterioration. In a closing submission, HPSNZ apologised for 'distressing experiences Olivia endured' and acknowledged the behaviour Podmore was subjected to was 'unacceptable.' Cycling NZ chief executive Simon Peterson also offered his apology in relation to what Podmore endured during the 2016-18 period surrounding the Bordeaux training camp controversy. As the inquest reached its final day, Podmore's mother Nienke Middleton stated that 'culture starts from the top' and in her view, 'plenty is still left to do in order to achieve the real changes (that are) needed.' Podmore competed in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio after picking up silver and bronze medals in the junior world championships in Astana in 2015. She won the national keirin champion title in 2017 and also competed at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in the sprint, team sprint and keirin events.
