“My expectation is that the Commission have a clear process for the raising of complaints to support the integrity of sport and which ensures information is verified and acted on in a timely way to protect and promote the safety and well-being of participants.”
The Herald has spoken to several boxing coaches who have described the current climate as messy, and who were reluctant to speak publicly for fear their actions could impact their fighters’ prospects.
One trainer urged the executives of Boxing NZ to “declare their conflicts of interest in order to deal with this appropriately”.
Several people have taken to social media to defend Meehan, while former Māori Party MP Heather Te Au-Skipworth has questioned why Meehan hasn’t been stood down, citing the investigation into Dame Noeline Taurua and Netball New Zealand.
Meehan has not responded to requests from the Herald for comment. His wife, Cathy Meehan, is currently the president of Boxing New Zealand.
The Sport Integrity Commission has also not responded to queries from the Herald.
New Zealand has been allocated six spots in boxing for the Commonwealth Games, which run from July 23 to August 2.