Deborah Hart appointed chair of New Zealand Sport Integrity Commission

Deborah Hart, a seasoned governance and public‑policy adviser, has been appointed chair of the Sport Integrity Commission Board in New Zealand. The appointment was announced by Sport and Recreation Minister Mark Mitchell, who highlighted Hart’s extensive legal, regulatory and human‑rights experience, including her roles as chair of Utilities Disputes Limited, chair of the Holocaust Centre of New Zealand, and service on the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

Traci Houpapa MNZM, who has served as interim chair since March 2026, will become deputy chair, while board member Tim Castle has been reappointed for a further two‑year term. The Commission’s mandate is to promote safe, fair and inclusive sport and recreation environments and to strengthen public confidence in New Zealand’s sport‑integrity system.