Change at top as CNZ boss mounts his bike

Under-fire Cycling New Zealand boss Andrew Matheson is moving on.

The organisation’s board yesterday announced that Matheson will end his five-year role as chief executive.

The move comes soon after Cycling New Zealand’s board backed him to remain in charge, despite an independent review finding the sport’s high performance programme culture was dysfunctional for a two-year period taking in the Rio Olympics.

Lawyer Mike Heron’s report found that there were ‘‘instances of bullying in the programme’’, a ‘‘lack of accountability and effective leadership’’ and Cycling NZ’s (CNZ’s) response to issues ‘‘was ineffective and inadequate’’.

CNZ chairman Tony Mitchell said earlier this month there would be no changes at the top of the organisation, despite Andrew Matheson Heron’s findings that Matheson ‘‘appeared to take a onedimensional approach to issues’’ and didn’t fully investigate potentially serious incidents.

However, Matheson will now leave at Christmas with the board to appoint an interim chief executive over the next six months while it seeks a permanent replacement.

Mitchell said yesterday that Matheson had driven many initiatives that had moved the sport significantly forward.

‘‘Andrew’s achievements include rebuilding relationships with our member and stakeholder organisations, implementation of our six Subway Performance Hubs, securing and running UCI World Cup events in New Zealand, implementation of our change programme after the Rio Olympics and delivering the bestever Commonwealth Games results by Cycling New Zealand just to name a few,’’ he said.

‘‘It is fair to say the last six months have been challenging as the sport faced its recent Heron review and we are grateful of Andrew’s work to steady the ship during this very difficult time. He worked closely with the board and the review team and has led the organisation’s implementation phase of the review recommendations.’’

Matheson said: ‘‘This has been a very challenging job, particularly over the last 12 months, but I am pleased with the way we have responded to the Heron review and I am happy that Cycling New Zealand is well positioned to handle the ongoing challenges faced by all national sports organisations.

‘‘In roles like this in sport you are never an owner but rather a guardian, and I am handing on the baton with real satisfaction that I have contributed my all in making the organisation and sport notably better than when I started. We have achieved some amazing things and I believe the organisation is now well positioned for a very successful future.’’

The Heron review was instigated in June after allegations regarding the culture of CNZ’s high performance programme and the conduct of sprint coach Anthony Peden, who resigned in May, were made public.

Heron listed 10 events from 2016 to 2018 that CNZ leadership was made of. Nine of the incidents involved Peden or his behaviour. Only two of the 10 resulted in disciplinary action, though Heron noted action on the last three was pre-empted by Peden’s resignation.

Heron found there were instances of bullying in the programme, ‘‘concentrated around [but not limited to]’’ Peden, listing nine examples of incidents involving the sprint coach.

He found that he ‘‘was not presented with evidence that there was a widespread, systemic culture’’ of bullying.

‘‘The clear view I received was that the current environment was a more positive, collaborative and open one. The critical issue for Cycling NZ and HPSNZ is to do their best to ensure this cannot happen again.’’