Sport Integrity Commission probes Boxing NZ coach Billy Meehan over bullying claims

Billy Meehan is a councillor in Palmerston North and the Boxing New Zealand coach.

The Minister for Sport and Recreation, Mark Mitchell, will seek assurances that proper processes are being followed as an investigation into Boxing New Zealand continues.

The Sport Integrity Commission has been investigating Boxing NZ and its head coach, Billy Meehan, since May last year over claims of bullying, favouritism and inappropriate behaviour.

Meehan, a councillor for Palmerston North’s Te Hirawanui general ward, has remained in his role since the investigation was launched, which has seen some boxers withdraw from consideration for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, 1News reports.

Mitchell stressed it would be inappropriate for him to intervene directly in any investigation, but said he would be seeking reassurance that the commission is meeting those expectations.

“The Sport Integrity Commission is an independent Crown entity with its own Board, and it is important that independence is maintained,” a statement from Mitchell said.

“My expectation is that the Commission have a clear process for the raising of complaints to support the integrity of sport and which ensures information is verified and acted on in a timely way to protect and promote the safety and well-being of participants.”

In a statement to the Herald, the Sport Integrity Commission confirmed there has been an ongoing investigation, but would not provide specifics.

“While we do not believe it is appropriate for us to publicly discuss the investigation involving Boxing NZ, we are comfortable that our investigation team have acted appropriately and as promptly as can be reasonably expected, in all the circumstances that exist in this matter,” the statement read.

The statement added that it was rare for the commission to confirm an ongoing investigation, while the “starting point for these decisions is always care for the people involved and the responsibility we have to manage these processes carefully” and “our focus is on ensuring our work is fair, thorough and protects the rights and confidentiality of those involved”.

The commission said it received 283 complaints last year, which saw 165 of those resolved, with 73 active as of June 30. The remaining 45 were out of scope.

The Herald has spoken to several boxing coaches who have described the current climate as messy, and who were reluctant to speak publicly for fear their actions could impact their fighters’ prospects.

One trainer urged the executives of Boxing NZ to “declare their conflicts of interest in order to deal with this appropriately”.

Several people have taken to social media to defend Meehan, while former Māori Party MP Heather Te Au-Skipworth has questioned why Meehan hasn’t been stood down, citing the investigation into Dame Noeline Taurua and Netball NZ.

Meehan has not responded to requests from the Herald for comment. His wife, Cathy Meehan, is currently the president of Boxing NZ.

New Zealand has been allocated six spots in boxing for the Commonwealth Games, which run from July 23 to August 2.