Swimming New Zealand has become the first major Olympic sport to sign the Sport Integrity Commission’s Integrity Code, joining the likes of Scouts Aotearoa, SkateNZ, NZ Esports Federation and Gymnastics New Zealand.
The code was introduced in March 2025 to create safer and fairer sporting environments off the back of a number of wellbeing reviews and working groups and has six minimum standards to prevent unacceptable behaviour in sport including bullying, abuse and sexual harm and discrimination.
Swimming NZ is surprised they’re the first major sport, and only the ninth organisation, to adopt the code.
“We see it as a sport as only a positive," said chief executive Steve Johns. "It's going to strengthen our existing processes and, for us, offering a really safe environment for our members is really important to us, so why wouldn't we do it?”
Swimming NZ has a membership base of more than 17,000 spread across 145 clubs and 87% of their members are under the age of 18.
“Obviously we're in an environment where minors are in their togs in a pool environment," Johns said, "so wellbeing and integrity, membership protection's been really important for us for many, many years.”
Johns said his organisation is spending around $100,000 a year on integrity.
“It may cost you a bit more money, it may cost you a bit more time, but if that prevents someone being harmed in the future, then it's well worth it.”
As yet, none of the top six government-funded Olympic sports have signed the code. Between them, Rowing New Zealand, Cycling New Zealand, Yachting New Zealand, Athletics New Zealand, Canoe Racing New Zealand, and Snow Sports New Zealand receive more than $25 million in annual funding.
Canoe Racing NZ plans to sign up following their AGM early next year with Cycling NZ, who've had well documented wellbeing issues over the past decade, have committed to doing it within the next 12 months.
The Sport Integrity Commission receive more than $10 million a year from the government to fund anti-doping, anti-corruption and integrity.
Its chief executive Rebcca Rolls is surprised more sports haven’t signed on. She said adoptees can more easily access services like timely investigations, an independent disciplinary panel and other tools.
Australia has a National Integrity Framework that is compulsory for any sport receiving Australian Sport Commission funding and had been adopted by 65 sports 18 months after it was introduced. That total now stands at 96.
While Swimming NZ voluntarily adopted the code on September 1, Johns said he thinks it probably should be made compulsory here.
“The sporting system, from an integrity perspective, is only as strong and robust and safe as the weakest NSO (national sporting organisation). So until everyone is adopting really thorough, well-resourced systems and practices, there's always a risk, an integrity risk, that's going to impact the wider sector.”
Sport Minister Mark Mitchell said compulsion may be looked at with a review set for 2028.
“We're hoping that the sports and codes see the value of it and start to work through their own process in terms of signing on but compulsion... may be something that comes forward as a recommendation in 2028 depending on how it goes.”
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