Board Vacancy – Athlete Representative

The closing date for applications is Monday 21 July 2025 at 1700 hrs / 5pm.

Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) is calling for Paralympians to apply to become the Athlete Representative on its Board. This is a newly created position, supported by the PNZ Athletes’ Council, PNZ Board and PNZ members.

PNZ is the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) for Aotearoa New Zealand. Through its membership of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), PNZ is part of a worldwide social change movement, which uses the power of sport to positively influence community perceptions of disabled people and to promote a more diverse and inclusive society. It does this by:

• leading the New Zealand Paralympic Team to the Paralympic Games (summer and winter);
• enabling pathways for Para athletes in Para sports; and
• leveraging the power of Para sport to positively change perceptions and advocate for inclusion, accessibility and participation in Para sport.

The PNZ Vision is that Through Para sport, lives will be transformed.

To ensure greater input of the athletes’ voice and perspectives into the governance of PNZ, a new position for an Athlete Representative has been added to the PNZ Board.

The role of the Athlete Representative on the PNZ Board, as with other PNZ Board members, is to act in the best interests of the organisation, however, the PNZ Board will also benefit from the Athlete Representatives being able to contribute perspectives which can support an existing PNZ Board approach to Para athlete focused decision making.

The Athlete Representative is a full voting member of the PNZ Board. The Board consists of 7 other members (5 elected and 2 appointed) and may include a co-opted member. Any members of the IPC Governing Board or the IPC Athletes’ Council residing in Aotearoa New Zealand are also members of the PNZ Board by virtue of their IPC role.

To be eligible to apply for the Athlete Representative position, candidates must be an active or recently retired eligible Paralympian, meaning they must:

• Have represented the New Zealand Paralympic Team in at least one of the previous three (3) Paralympic Games (winter or summer);
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age; and
• Have not received any sanctions in relation to the World Anti-Doping Code, or any other applicable rules of the IPC or any PNZ Bylaws.

Candidates may be, but do not have to be, a member of the PNZ Athletes’ Council.

Previous governance experience, and a sound knowledge and understanding of Para sport would be an advantage but is not essential.

The initial term of office is from the date of appointment (which is expected to be in early August) until 31 January 2027. Beyond this term, subsequent terms for the appointed role will be two years.

The successful candidate will be appointed by the PNZ Athletes’ Council on the recommendation of the PNZ Board Appointment Panel, plus two members of the PNZ Athletes’ Council.

This is an exciting opportunity to represent Paralympians and Para athletes’ and contribute to the ongoing work of PNZ – working with a highly skilled and qualified PNZ Board and Management Team, leading and building on the international success of our previous Paralympians. If you are a Paralympian who is interested in continuing to drive social change through the lens of Para sport, keen on supporting Para athletes through their pathway to the Paralympic Games, and to building a strong and sustainable organisation, then this is the role for you.