9 October 2012
Media Release
New Auckland Sport entity set to be established
The foundations have been laid for the establishment of a new Auckland Sport entity responsible for strategic decision
making and investment at a region wide level. This follows the signing of a Heads of Agreement by the four Auckland
Regional Sports Trusts (RSTs), Sport New Zealand (Sport NZ), and Auckland Council with all parties embracing the change.
In addition to addressing a noted regional leadership gap, other benefits of the new entity will include more uniform
service delivery by the individual Auckland RSTs, provision of a single point of contact for all RST sport and
recreation stakeholders operating across Auckland, and being able to leverage opportunities and investment through a
single shared voice.
An Auckland Sport Establishment Board is being created to progress the formation of the new entity, headed by leading
New Zealand sport and business figure, Sir John Wells.
“Forming a new Auckland Sport entity is an important and necessary step in facilitating a region wide approach to
strategic decision making for Auckland’s sport and recreation sector,” said Sir John Wells.
“Several pieces of work have looked at what’s best for the Auckland sport and recreation environment, and the need for a
central leadership and strategy function was a common thread.”
Speaking on behalf of the Auckland RSTs, Sport Waitakere Chair Peter Meehan said, “the RSTs support the need for
enhanced regional leadership and view the proposed model as delivering this while maintaining the critical connection
with community level sport.”
Sport NZ Chief Executive, Peter Miskimmin welcomed the signing of the Heads of Agreement. “There has been consensus
among the key stakeholders and a strong commitment to pave the way for the establishment of a new entity to sit across
the top of Auckland’s RSTs and work closely with Auckland Council and Sport NZ.”
“I commend the good work the RSTs have done throughout Auckland over several years, and applaud the vision and
leadership they have shown by embracing the opportunity to further improve the delivery of sport and recreation across
Auckland.”
The intention is for the transition to the new entity to be well underway by 1 July 2013.
Ends.
Sport New Zealand is the crown entity responsible for promoting, encouraging and supporting sport and physical
recreation
in New Zealand. For more details, visit www.sportnz.org.nz
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