Having integrity means a person is committed to honesty and doing what's right.  

Integrity in sport and recreation refers to an environment that is safer and fairer for everyone. It is achieved through shared values and a shared commitment to high standards of behaviour. 

Our role is to provide guidance and tools so we can all do what’s right, ensuring everyone has positive sport and recreation experiences. 

Building a culture of integrity starts with recognising that we all have a part to play. 

Building a culture of integrity means developing an environment that is fair, safe and inclusive. These core values need to be woven throughout everything an organisation, community, and individual does to ensure that everyone – especially those who are more at risk of harm – receives safe and fair treatment while taking part. 

Everyone — parents, caregivers, whānau, coaches, instructors, spectators, clubs and organisations, and children and young people — can identify, prevent and respond early to behaviour that undermines integrity. 

• It’s the actions, values and behaviour that uphold integrity.  

• Everyone — including children, young people and people with different abilities — are safe from harmful or unfair behaviour. It’s an environment that also keeps you safe from any misunderstandings or causing unintentional harm. 

• Everyone knows what threats to integrity are and have the understanding and skills to address them. 

• The environment is respectful and inclusive. Everyone is welcomed and recognised for the value they bring regardless of their age, sex, where they’re from or their abilities.  

• There are strong relationships and connections. Clubs, organisations, volunteers, officials, friends and whānau have a shared commitment and understanding. 

• It’s easy to speak up if there are concerns. Everyone knows the process to raise concerns and have trust they are dealt with quickly and professionally. Privacy is fully respected. 

The first step is understanding how to identify integrity threats, then knowing how to respond to them. 

Harmful or unfair behaviour that threatens integrity includes:  

• doping in sport 

• abuse and harm to children, young people and vulnerable adults 

• match-fixing and using inside information for sport betting 

• corruption, fraud, and other forms of deception or breaches of trust 

• bullying, violence, abuse, intimidation and harassment 

• racism and other forms of unlawful discrimination 

• sexual misconduct 

• situations where organisations fail to take reasonable steps to prevent these threats. 

Everyone wins when there is a positive and safe culture. But a poor culture can lead to harm and unfairness. Features of a poor culture include: 

• the myths, misconceptions, and attitudes that tolerate, enable or normalise abuse of children and young people persist in the community 

• allowing or not appropriately addressing any harmful, abusive and unfair behaviour like poor sideline behaviour and any practices that are unsafe or create unfair competition 

• a lack of policies and procedures that identify all risk areas and clearly state the commitment and processes to address the risks 

• power imbalances between people, particularly when concerns are raised about the behaviour of someone in an actual or perceived position of authority 

• a lack of understanding about threats to integrity – the risks are constantly evolving, and Aotearoa New Zealand is not immune. 

We support organisations and people involved in sport and recreation to prevent, identify and respond to the risks and behaviour that undermine and threaten integrity. The areas of integrity we cover include:  

• Anti-doping: Learn about anti-doping rules, banned substances, and understand drug testing. 

• Participant protection: Identify and respond to harmful behaviour including racism and discrimination, bullying, violence, abuse, intimidation, harassment and sexual misconduct.  

• Child safeguarding: Get guidance on how to safeguard and protect tamariki and rangatahi from abuse and harm.  

• Anti-corruption: Understand how match-fixing, corruption, prohibited gambling and other forms of competition manipulation undermine integrity.