This integrity code is the Code of Integrity for Sport and Recreation.

The Code of Integrity for Sport and Recreation (Integrity Code) comes into force 28 days from its publication.

(1)   The purpose of the Integrity Code is to prevent and address threats to integrity in sport and recreation by:

(a)   setting minimum standards to apply across the sport and recreation sector;

(b)   requiring organisations bound by the Integrity Code to put policies and procedures in place to implement the minimum standards; and

(c)    prescribing the Commission’s role in overseeing the Integrity Code, including through dispute resolution processes, investigations and a disciplinary panel.

(2)   The Integrity Code also promotes the following values and principles in the sport and recreation sector:

(a)   whanaungatanga: fostering positive relationships, connections and a sense of community between participants, particularly for people who are disadvantaged or at risk;

(b)   manaakitanga: participants are treated, and treat each other, with dignity and respect;

(c)    hauora: physical, psychological, spiritual, family and social wellbeing of participants and recognising sport and recreation should make a positive contribution to participants’ wellbeing;

(d)   haumarutanga: the importance of protecting the safety and wellbeing of participants, particularly when they are at risk;

(e)   mokopunatanga: an emphasis on the wellbeing of children and young people, and ensuring future generations thrive;

(f)     pono: acting in a way that is trustworthy, honest and fair;

(g)   utu and ea: reciprocity and opportunities for repairing harm done and restoring a state of balance.

(3)   For the avoidance of doubt, the descriptions of the values and principles in paragraph (2) do not constrain the meaning of tikanga Māori as determined by whānau, hapū and iwi.

(1)   In the Integrity Code, unless the context otherwise requires:

Act means the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act 2023;

adult means a person who is 18 years or over;

adult at risk means any adult who needs care and support, is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect, and is unable to remove or protect themselves from that risk because of those needs

children and young people means people under the age of 18 years;

Commission means the Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission established under the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act 2023;

complaint means an expression of dissatisfaction with an explicit or implicit expectation of a response or resolution;

disciplinary panel means a disciplinary panel established by the Commission;

disclosure means a disclosure of information relating to an alleged or actual breach of the Integrity Code, a policy required under the Integrity Code, or the Act;

discrimination means discrimination that is unlawful under Part 2 of the Human Rights Act 1993;

dispute resolution means any process used to respond to or resolve a complaint or disclosure, including:

(a)   consent-based processes such as mediation, restorative processes or arbitration; or

(b)   determinative processes such as investigation and disciplinary processes.

harm means physical or mental damage or injury resulting from a prohibited behaviour;

in connection with sport and recreation means that:

(a)   the behaviour occurs while a person is engaging in sport and recreation to which the Integrity Code applies; or

(b)   the behaviour occurs while a participant is dealing with an organisation, its employees, volunteers, contractors, or representatives in the context of their mutual involvement in sport and recreation; or

(c)    a person is acting in their capacity as a participant, member, officer, or representative of an organisation; or

(d)   the behaviour occurs between people interacting with each other primarily because of their mutual involvement in sport and recreation;

integrity code has the same meaning as the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act 2023;

the Integrity Code means the Code of Integrity for Sport and Recreation issued in accordance with the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act 2023;

issue of serious concern has the meaning given in clause 14(2)(a);

member means a person or a body of persons that has agreed to be, and has been accepted as, a member of an organisation;

needs of participants includes their psychological needs and other needs such as those based on vulnerability, age, culture, language, gender identity and expression, sexual identity, sex characteristics, and disability;

organisation means any body of persons, whether incorporated or unincorporated, that is bound by the Integrity Code in accordance with section 21 of the Act;

participant has the same meaning as the definition of participant in section 4 of the Act;

personal information has the same meaning as the definition of personal information in section 7 of the Privacy Act 2020;

policies includes any rules, policies or procedures made or amended by the organisation in accordance with its constitution (or equivalent governing document) and includes regulations, by‑laws or other equivalent obligations;

prohibit means to formally forbid the behaviour within the organisation and sport and recreation activity through rules, policies or procedures

prohibited behaviour means a behaviour that an organisation is required to prohibit as defined in Schedule 1 of the Integrity Code;

recreation means physical recreation;

safeguarding means actions to reduce the risk of harm to participants, including children and young people;

specified person means anyone who works in, volunteers for, or provides services to, the organisation where such involvement:

(a)   may or does involve regular or overnight contact with children, young people or adults at risk; and

(b)   takes place without a parent or guardian of a child or young person being present; or

(c)    takes place with an adult at risk without the presence of another adult.

sport and recreation sector has the same meaning as the definition of sport and physical recreation sector in section 4 of the Act;

Sports Tribunal means the Tribunal established under the Sports Tribunal Act 2006;

threat to integrity has the same meaning as in section 5 of the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act 2023;

tikanga Māori means Māori customary law and practices;

wellbeing includes physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing;

Nothing in the definitions limits or affects the meaning of terms used in the World Anti-Doping Code or the Sports Anti-Doping Rules.