Clean sport remains at the heart of competition in Aotearoa New Zealand, but the way anti-doping cases may be handled is changing. 

Changes in the 2027 Sports Anti-Doping Rules (2027 Rules) aim to make the anti-doping system fairer, more consistent and more focused on athlete welfare. While strong sanctions are still in place for deliberate cheating, the 2027 Rules offer more flexibility to the way anti-doping cases are handled, for example: 

• accidental doping 

• contamination 

• recreational drug use 

• genuine admin errors relating to TUEs. 

 The 2027 Rules come into effect on 1 January 2027. 

A plain language summary of these is changes below, and you can read more details at Sports Anti-Doping Rules. 

Athletes who deliberately use banned substances to improve performance will still face a four-year ban. 

 However, the 2027 Rules recognise that not all anti-doping violations happen in the same way. Athletes may receive a reduced sanction if they can show that: 

• their use of the substance was not related to sport 

• the doping was accidental 

• both of the above apply. 

Circumstance	Typical Sanction
Intentional doping	4 years
Athlete proves the substance was taken unintentionally and explains how it entered their body	2 years
Athlete proves the substance was not used to improve performance and explains how it entered their body	3 years
Exceptional cases with scientific evidence of no intentional use	Potential reduction to 2 years

The aim is to move away from a "one size fits all" model and make sure that sanctions reflect the athlete’s intent and level of responsibility. 

The new Rules reflect an understanding that substance abuse can be a health issue that requires support, education and intervention over punishment. For substances like cocaine: 

 First offence (out of competition, not related to sport) 

• Ban reduced to two months 

 Second offence (out of competition, not related to sport) 

• Four-month ban 

• Can be reduced to two months if athletes complete an approved treatment programme 

 Use during competition 

• Ban ranges from six months to two years depending on circumstances. 

 Athletes may no longer have to serve a provisional suspension in these cases. 

Athletes remain responsible for any banned substance found in their sample. However, the new rules better recognise that contamination can happen unintentionally. 

The definition of contamination has been expanded to include: 

• food 

• drinks 

• environmental exposure 

• contact with another person 

• contact with contaminated objects 

This gives decision-makers more flexibility when considering cases where an athlete may have been exposed to a prohibited substance without their knowledge or intention. 

The 2027 Rules introduce a fixed two-month sanction for athletes who: 

• used a banned substance for genuine medical reasons, and 

• would have met TUE requirements, but 

• forgot to get a TUE in-advance. 

This recognises the difference between an athlete trying to cheat and a genuine administrative mistake. 

Athletes can receive reduced sanctions if they help anti-doping investigations. 

The 2027 Rules expand the definition of "substantial assistance". Information provided no longer has to result in a prosecution or sanction. There is also a new option for up to a 15% reduction when helpful information is provided but does not meet the threshold for substantial assistance. 

The goal is to encourage cooperation and help investigations progress more quickly. 

Athletes who admit an anti-doping violation within 20 days of being notified, and accept the consequences, may receive: 

• the existing one-year reduction for sanctions of four years or more 

• a new 25% reduction for sanctions under four years. 

The 2027 Rules strengthen protections for young athletes. 

Details of anti-doping violations involving minors will no longer have to be published. Adults who contribute to violations involving young athletes may face stronger penalties. 

Coaches, trainers, parents, managers and other support personnel will also be expected to play a greater role in protecting young athletes and promoting clean sport. 

The new Rules place greater emphasis on athlete rights and welfare, including: 

• fair processes 

• athlete education 

• privacy protections 

• data security 

• human rights considerations. 

Athletes who are cleared of wrongdoing will also receive stronger protections against unnecessary publication of personal information. 

These changes reflect the view that an effective anti-doping system should both protect sport and respect the rights and dignity of athletes. 

The 2027 Rules provide greater clarity about what athletes can and cannot do while serving a sanction or provisional suspension. 

 Restrictions may apply not only to competition, but also to: 

• official training activities 

• administrative roles 

• other formal activities run by sporting organisations. 

 The aim is to remove uncertainty and ensure sanctions are applied consistently across all sports and countries.

Read more about the 2027 Sports Anti-Doping Rules