Michael Heron QC will lead another independent inquiry into Cycling NZ, after the death of Olympian Olivia Podmore last month.
The former solicitor-general returns three years after conducting a similar review of the organisation's culture, but will share chair duties with Professor Sarah Leberman this time round.
As professor in leadership at Massey University's school of management, Leberman has researched women and leadership in sport, and has managed national hockey teams.
The pair will join former Silver Ferns netball captain Dr Lesley Nicol - now a sport and exercise physician - and Olympic rowing silver medallist Genevieve Macky on the four-person panel appointed by Cycling NZ and High Performance Sport NZ.
"Each member of the panel will bring a different perspective to this inquiry, and we believe that the diversity of expertise and experience will help ensure the inquiry meets its objectives," says Cycling NZ chairman Phil Holden.
"We've listened carefully to what cycling athletes have been saying, and felt it was especially important that there were athletes on the panel who had experience in a high performance environment and a strong representation of expert women."
Podmore attended the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games as a member of the track cycling sprint team, and qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, but was not selected.
Days after the Games finished, she posted on Instagram about the pressures on world-class athletes and died hours later.
Currently under coroner's investigation, her death raises questions over the culture of high performance sport and Cycling NZ in particular, which were meant to have been addressed by Heron's last review into the same programme.
Heron is a national commissioner for NZ Cricket, a member of the ICC Code of Conduct Commission and Disputes Resolution Committee, and serves on the NZ Rugby and SANZAAR judiciary.
"We are pleased that Michael Heron has agreed to co-chair the panel," says Cycling NZ chief executive Jacques Landry.
"After leading the 2018 review into Cycling New Zealand, he is the best person to test whether the recommendations from that review were implemented effectively and what we could have done - and still can do - better."
The inquiry's objectives are:
- To assess the adequacy of the implementation of the recommendations from the 2018 Heron report
- To identify areas of further improvement that would ensure the wellbeing of athletes, coaches, support staff and others in Cycling NZ's high performance programme are a top priority
- To assess the support offered to athletes at critical points within Cycling NZ's high performance programme, particularly induction, selection and exit transitions
- To assess the impact that HPSNZ investment and engagement has on Cycling NZ's high performance programme
- To assess the impact of high performance programmes that keep elite athletes in one location for most of the year, particularly Cambridge
- To understand what steps can be taken to improve practices, policies and governance of Cycling NZ’s high performance programme to ensure safety, wellbeing and empowerment of individuals
Where to find help and support:
Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
