HPSNZ staff forced to reapply for new roles

HPSNZ CEO Michael Scott.

High Performance Sport New Zealand has confirmed some structural changes which could result in upheaval for a number of employees.

The premise behind the move is to fine-tune the organisation's capability leading to the Tokyo Olympics.

The Weekend Herald understands staff have been told and, with a number of roles disestablished, they can reapply for new jobs.

One example was that with so many national sporting hubs based in and around Cambridge, a senior HPSNZ appointment could be made in the region.

Alternatively, a sport such as athletics with components such as sprints, throws, jumps and endurance could be dealing with one HPSNZ liaison person rather than what one source described as "two to three previously".

The redeployment plans were described by an HPSNZ spokesperson as a way to make them "more nimble and agile".

The changes follow a period of consultation with affected staff and the wider organisation.

"These changes are needed and are timed to enhance our relationships with national sports organisations, improve delivery support and increase our probability of success in Tokyo," HPSNZ chief executive Michael Scott said in a statement.

"We will now move into a redeployment process for those impacted by the structure change and a recruitment process for newly created roles. Following the conclusion of this process, we will begin work on a 10-year blueprint that will underpin development and sustainable growth for all key facets of the high performance system."

On August 12, the Herald on Sunday revealed a proposal had been presented to staff, who were given a period to consult and respond.

The news is the latest chapter in a tumultuous series of events within the sporting sector.

A series of reviews are ongoing, and key staff such as cycling coach Anthony Peden, football coach Andreas Heraf and rowing high performance manager Alan Cotter have been high-profile exits from their respective NSOs. Debate has also raged recently over the methods of Black Sticks women's hockey coach Mark Hager after an email was leaked of him criticising the team.

HPSNZ is also undergoing its own external review to assess the circumstances surrounding allegations Peden received identifiable documentation of athletes' Rio Olympic debriefs. They were supposed to be conducted in confidence and collated anonymously.

News on that was expected later this month. The Weekend Herald understands this could be delayed as review head Michael Heron QC examines the findings.

The Herald reported the HPSNZ workplace as having 41 employees on salaries of more than $100,000 in 2015.