The New Zealand Olympic Committee has presented its 2017 Annual Report to its membership in Auckland today.
President Mike Stanley said 2017 was a year of solid preparation ahead of two outstanding games. He acknowledged the importance of partnerships with High Performance Sport, National Sporting Organisations and, most importantly, the athletes themselves.
Stanley confirmed the organisation's achieved the budgeted 2017 surplus of $1.152 with assets of $2.38 million. While meeting the non-games year budget expectations, finances continue to provide a challenge as games costs and resource demands continue to grow.
The 2017 - 2020 New Zealand Olympic Committee strategy was launched and will direct revenue diversification and growth along with a strengthening of partnerships and collaboration to ensure New Zealand remains a world leader in sport.
The organisation examined the impact of the Commonwealth and Olympic Games on New Zealand and its place in the world. The project was delivered by PWC with funding from the IOC and demonstrated that the New Zealand Olympic Committee, through games participation and organisational leadership and advocacy programmes, showcases innovation, makes connections and builds national identity on the world stage.
Stanley drew attention to the ongoing issues in international sport with doping and the strong response from the IOC in banning the Russian Olympic Committee from the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.
He called for ongoing commitment from all the relevant agencies to broker a better system to combat doping at individual and state level and assured the New Zealand Olympic Committee membership that New Zealand's two IOC members have been passionate advocates for a clean playing field for our athletes.
As part of the New Zealand's commitment to diversity and inclusion, a new inclusion policy was finalised.
2017 also saw a commitment being made to the development of the Maori Advisory Committee that will ensure the growth of Tikanga Maori within the organisation.
Gender balance remained a priority for the New Zealand Olympic Committee and the successful 2017 bid for the 2018 - 2022 International Working Group on Women in Sport Secretariat and World Conference is an indication of our ongoing thought leadership in this space.
Positive interactions with the new Minister for Sport the Hon. Grant Robertson and the Prime Minister the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern were planned in 2017, ahead of the 2018 Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
Stanley acknowledged the needs of sport around resourcing and confirmed that the New Zealand Olympic Committee will continue to advocate in this area.
With two athlete focused panel discussions taking place around the General Assembly, Stanley urged members to engage more strongly with athletes and ensure they are placed at the heart of the sporting movement in New Zealand.
The delivery of the successful 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas that saw 33 athletes return with 31 medals across five sports was a highlight. Selections and liaison with sport took place ahead of the upcoming Youth Olympic Games.
2017 also demonstrated the strength and awareness of the New Zealand Olympic Committee brands with engagement and awareness in Olympic and Commonwealth properties continue to grow. Net interest and brand equity exceed that for all other major events in New Zealand.
Diana Puketapu was elected uncontested for a second three-year term on the New Zealand Olympic Committee Board, after being recommended to the membership by the Board Membership Panel.
She highlighted the Rio Olympic Games, PyeongChang and Gold Coast, the 2015 IOC Women in Sport Trophy as well as New Zealand's ongoing representation in the international environment across the IOC and CGF as highlights during her tenure.
She urged the membership to continue to challenge the status quo as the New Zealand Olympic Committee works with, and on behalf of, sport, athletes and its commercial and philanthropic partners.
As Chair of the Audit Committee Puketapu acknowledged the organisation's to integrity and transparency. Puketapu will be the New Zealand Olympic Committee board representative on the new Maori Advisory Committee.
Sir John Wells stood down as the member's representative after seven years on the Board Appointments
Panel and Peter Thompson, CEO of Barfoot and Thompson and sporting philanthropist, was appointed in his place.
The Board Appointments Panel comprises each an independent, membership and board representative and is designed to support the maintenance of a balanced board.
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