Carter resigns, issues apology for error
Hamish Carter has resigned from High Performance Sport New Zealand, 10 days after he was fingered as a leaker in a hardhitting report into dysfunction in Cycling New Zealand’s programme.
Olympic triathlon gold medallist Carter, who worked alongside CNZ, acknowledged responsibility for his mistake in disclosing interview summaries to Cycling NZ’s former sprint coach Anthony Peden.
He apologised in his resignation yesterday.
"I want to assure all athletes and other stakeholders with whom I have worked over the years that my overarching priority has always been to support them and their success."
In his report this month, lawyer Michael Heron said an unnamed HPSNZ staff member – the "sprint team reviewer", now known to be Carter – agreed he had released confidential athlete and staff interviews to Peden.
HPSNZ chief executive Michael Scott said at the time, the leak was the area which concerned him the most and "a process has commenced with the individual concerned".
Scott had notified the privacy commissioner of the alleged breach of confidentiality, and engaged a privacy audit of the personal and confidential information held on high performance athletes.
Carter yesterday said he had made a mistake, with Scott saying the decision to leave was Carter’s.
"I accept full responsibility for that genuine mistake. I want to take this opportunity to sincerely apologise to those athletes and staff affected by my error," Carter wrote in a statement.
Carter sent the documents to Peden, then later told the coach to delete the emails.
In his investigation, lawyer Michael Heron reported the documents had then been leaked to the media, from a person who had lawful access to Peden’s house.
Heron also found HPSNZ could have done more to ensure issues with the high performance cycling programme were being adequately dealt with by CNZ.
Carter, 47, is one of New Zealand’s outstanding athletes. He won a triathlon gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and was 2004 New Zealand Sportsman of the Year at the Halberg Awards.
In 1998, he was ITU World Cup champion, won world championship silver medals in 1997 and 2006, and a bronze medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Since retiring from triathlon in 2007, he has been one of New Zealand’s sporting ambassadors.
Carter said he would be taking a break from sport.
"I feel very sad to be moving away from sport, something I truly love and am passionate about. I hope that one day I can return, but for now I need some time away."
He would not make any further comment on the incident.
HPSNZ’s review revealed Peden had an "inappropriate" relationship with a female cyclist during his time as CNZ’s head sprint coach. He resigned in May.
The review found Peden was also involved in instances of bullying and part of a small group of individuals at CNZ who had a drinking culture. Peden has also disputed those findings.