A four person panel has been appointed to lead the independent inquiry following the sudden death of Olivia Podmore six weeks ago.

Commissioned by Cycling New Zealand and High-Performance Sport New Zealand, the panel will be co-chaired by Michael Heron QC and Professor Sarah Leberman. 

They will be joined by Dr Lesley Nicol and rowing Olympic Silver Medallist Genevieve Macky (nee Behrent).

Michael Heron QC was formerly New Zealand’s Solicitor General and has appeared as lead counsel in all New Zealand Courts. 

He led the 2018 Heron Report into Cycling New Zealand, which gives him valuable insight into the organisation as whole.

Cycling New Zealand Board Chairman Phil Holden said, “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.”

Cycling New Zealand Chief Executive, Jacques Landry, said, “we are pleased that Michael Heron has agreed to co-chair the panel.  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 key objectives of the Inquiry are:

• To assess the adequacy of the implementation of the recommendations from the 2018 Report by Cycling New Zealand and HPSNZ (noting both areas of strength and opportunities for improvement);

• To identify areas of further improvement that would ensure the wellbeing of athletes, coaches, support staff and others involved in Cycling New Zealand’s high performance programme are a top priority within the environment;

• To assess the support offered to athletes at critical points within Cycling New Zealand’s high performance programme (by both Cycling New Zealand and HPSNZ), with a particular emphasis on induction, selection and exit transitions;

• To assess the impact that HPSNZ investment and engagement has on Cycling New Zealand’s high performance programme;

• To assess the impacts (positive and negative) of high performance programmes which require elite athletes to be in one location for most of the year, with a particular focus on Cambridge; and

• To understand what steps can be taken to improve current and future practices, policies and governance of Cycling New Zealand’s high performance programme with a view to ensuring the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of all individuals within that environment.

 The independent inquiry will not investigate or attempt to resolve individual complaints.  Any individual complaints will be referred to the Sports and Recreation Complaints and Mediation Service – which is run independently of any sporting bodies, clubs and organisations.

A website for the independent inquiry has been set up at www.cyclinginquiry.co.nz  This will include details of the panel, the Terms of Reference, information on how to connect, engage and provide feedback, and how to access counselling and support services.  It will also provide periodic updates on where the inquiry is at during the different stages.

A Coronial Inquiry to investigate the cause and circumstances of Olivia Podmore’s death is also underway.