Part 3 cont'd.

3.2.2   New Zealand Sports Drug Agency

The New Zealand Sports Drug Agency Act 1994, established the New Zealand Sports Drug Agency to "provide for testing for the use of drugs in sport, to encourage drug-free sport, and for related purposes". The Agency's primary purpose is to eliminate the use of performance-enhancing drugs in New Zealand sport. In performing this role the Agency works very closely with national governing bodies and with similar agencies internationally.

The Act empowers the Minister to appoint members to the Board of the Agency. The New Zealand Sports Drug Urine Testing Regulations set out procedures for testing athletes and guide the New Zealand Sports Drug Agency in its operation. The Agency's total budget, funded by Vote Sport, Fitness and Leisure, is $0.992 million in the 2000/01 year. The New Zealand Sports Drug Agency has three staff based in Auckland.

3.2.3   Office of Tourism and Sport

The Office of Tourism and Sport (OTSp) was established in July 1998 as a semi-autonomous body and the Government's primary policy advisor for Vote Sport, Fitness and Leisure. Prior to this, government policy and advice was secured through a division of the Department of Internal Affairs. The Office of Tourism and Sport reports to the Minister for Sport, Fitness and Leisure on policy matters and the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development on administrative matters.

The primary roles of the Office of Tourism and Sport in relation to sport, fitness and leisure are to:

• provide policy advice on sport, fitness and leisure issues
• promote an understanding of sport, fitness and leisure issues within government
• act as an agent for the Minister for Sport, Fitness and Leisure in negotiating the annual purchase agreement with the New Zealand Sports Drug Agency and the Memorandum of Understanding with the Hillary Commission, and undertake monitoring functions set out in the respective agreements
• administer the Crown's interests in the Sport, Fitness and Leisure Act and Sports Drug Agency Act

The Office of Tourism and Sport in the 2000/01 financial year has a total budget of $0.58 million for sport, fitness and leisure policy advice, of which $0.3 million was allocated for the Sport, Fitness and Leisure Ministerial Taskforce. The Office of Tourism and Sport has two core policy staff based in Wellington.

Figure 1: Summary of Government accountabilities for sport, fitness & leisure