The Sport and Recreation Complaints and Mediation Service (the SRCMS) is now part of the Commission. Our legal functions include providing complaints and dispute resolution processes for integrity issues in sport and recreation. This includes complaints about harmful behaviour such as bullying, sexual misconduct and racism.

As part of this change, we took over responsibility for the SRCMS from Sport NZ on 1 July 2024. This change strengthens the independence of the existing service and provides continuity for participants and organisations that have benefited from the SRCMS in the past.

The SRCMS was established by Sport NZ in 2021 to provide a free and independent complaints service to the sport and recreation sector.

We can receive and handle complaints relating to integrity from 1 July 2024. Immediation NZ, who currently operates the SRCMS, will provide complaints handling and dispute resolution services on behalf of the Commission.

This means that you can expect the same free, friendly, and impartial service that the SRCMS has provided since 2021.

Our role is set out in the Integrity Sport and Recreation Act 2023 and includes preventing and responding to:

• competition manipulation

• bullying, abuse, violence and sexual misconduct

• racism and unlawful discrimination

• doping in sport, and

• organisational failures relating to integrity, including failing to safeguard children.

This means that we cannot help with complaints that are not related to integrity, even if the SRCMS has helped with these issues in the past.  This includes disputes about selection. In these cases, we will try to help if possible or will help find someone who can.

Any disputes not resolved by 30 June 2024 will continue to be handled by the SRCMS team. They will continue to support you to resolve the complaint, including through mediation and investigation. These matters will be dealt with under the terms and conditions in place with the SRCMS on 30 June 2024.