9 October 2012
Media Release

New Auckland Sport entity set to be established

The foundations have been laid for the establishment of a new Auckland Sport entity responsible for strategic decision making and investment at a region wide level. This follows the signing of a Heads of Agreement by the four Auckland Regional Sports Trusts (RSTs), Sport New Zealand (Sport NZ), and Auckland Council with all parties embracing the change.

In addition to addressing a noted regional leadership gap, other benefits of the new entity will include more uniform service delivery by the individual Auckland RSTs, provision of a single point of contact for all RST sport and recreation stakeholders operating across Auckland, and being able to leverage opportunities and investment through a single shared voice.

An Auckland Sport Establishment Board is being created to progress the formation of the new entity, headed by leading New Zealand sport and business figure, Sir John Wells.

“Forming a new Auckland Sport entity is an important and necessary step in facilitating a region wide approach to strategic decision making for Auckland’s sport and recreation sector,” said Sir John Wells.

“Several pieces of work have looked at what’s best for the Auckland sport and recreation environment, and the need for a central leadership and strategy function was a common thread.”

Speaking on behalf of the Auckland RSTs, Sport Waitakere Chair Peter Meehan said, “the RSTs support the need for enhanced regional leadership and view the proposed model as delivering this while maintaining the critical connection with community level sport.”

Sport NZ Chief Executive, Peter Miskimmin welcomed the signing of the Heads of Agreement. “There has been consensus among the key stakeholders and a strong commitment to pave the way for the establishment of a new entity to sit across the top of Auckland’s RSTs and work closely with Auckland Council and Sport NZ.”

“I commend the good work the RSTs have done throughout Auckland over several years, and applaud the vision and leadership they have shown by embracing the opportunity to further improve the delivery of sport and recreation across Auckland.”

The intention is for the transition to the new entity to be well underway by 1 July 2013.

Ends.

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