“Jess (Jessica Milicich, the New Zealand captain) raised the point that it would be handy to have some coaching for you in the areas of social media response, (almost media training) and help with how to best navigate an approach from someone during this time, such as a journalist,” WPNZ chair Alex Howieson wrote.
“I thought this is a great idea so we are putting together some hints and tips in the meantime to send you.”
Water Polo NZ chair Alex Howieson.
About two hours later, she came back to the group with “some quick notes from our PR agency”.
The agency’s advice read: “It is generally best to be generic and stick to the same messaging where possible, however a slight tweak to make it personally relevant is okay”.
It then referenced four possible responses:
“I’m overwhelmed with the support I’ve received from the wider community, thank you for the support.”“I have full faith in the board, coach, team and fellow players.”“I am confident that WPNZ is acting with integrity and has…” (The PR advice was cut off here in the email).“I have full faith that the wellbeing of our players, coaches, volunteers, management, and staff is always a priority.”
The PR advice said people “sadly” had to “tread with caution even with those we trust”, such as friends.
“… stick to something like ‘I really appreciate your support and hope you understand that I can’t go into any detail. What I can say is that I have full faith in the board and WPNZ’,” said the advice.
In an initial PR response to the Herald – and when questioned whether it was appropriate that players should be advised to say they have “full faith in the board, coach, team and fellow players” when a Sport Integrity Commission inquiry was underway – Howieson stated: “The only advice given was that all media queries should be referred to me”.
Asked to explain the two emails to players in the context of that response, she said: “Water Polo New Zealand has not directed athletes to make public statements or use specific language; any guidance shared was optional only, media enquiries have been directed through the chair, and this approach reflects WPNZ’s commitment to supporting athlete wellbeing during a period of heightened scrutiny”.
And when pressed again, she came back to the Herald to say: “To clarify, the consistent and standing advice to players was to not engage directly with media and to refer any media inquiries to the chair. That position has not changed.
“In one instance, where a player had already been approached by a journalist and sought guidance, limited and optional support was provided to help them understand how to redirect the inquiry appropriately. This was not mandatory and not an instruction to make public statements.
“That support was intended to assist an individual in a stressful situation, consistent with our focus on player wellbeing. It was later shared more widely with the same intent to provide support, not a directive of any kind.
“As I have noted previously, any guidance provided was entirely optional. Players were under no obligation to use it, and if a player did not agree with or feel comfortable with any guidance, I would fully expect them not to use it.
“The consistent position throughout was that players were not directed to engage with media and that media inquiries should be referred to the chair.”
Do you know more? The Herald’s water polo investigation continues – please email Shayne Currie in confidence: shayne.currie@nzme.co.nz
Who knew what, when?
The Herald has revealed in recent weeks that the Sport Integrity Commission is investigating bullying claims arising from an ill-fated NZ women’s tour of Europe and Singapore last year.
A major rift developed between senior and junior members of the team, and there are broader concerns about leadership and governance within the sport.
The Herald has been inundated with feedback, and its investigation continues.
WPNZ has employed a high-powered public relations firm to help with the organisation’s responses to the Herald.
The New Zealand women’s water polo team – the White Caps – finished 10th at the World Aquatic Champs in Singapore last year but the tour has been beset by allegations of bullying and mistreatment. Photo montage / Oliver Rusden; Photos / Getty
In a response to initial questions, WPNZ chair Alex Howieson told the Herald on February 11 that the organisation had not received “any formal complaints from players in relation to allegations of bullying or favouritism”.
She said in that statement that the organisation only became aware towards the end of 2025 of concerns – “raised directly with me by some players” – in relation to other matters.
However, the Herald has confirmed that Howieson received on August 1 a letter (dated July 31) that was signed by three players.
It was titled “Complaint over recent senior women’s water polo trip”.
Its first paragraph, second sentence specifically refers to “bullying and mistreatment”.
Asked how this timeframe reconciled with her statement, Howieson said the athletes’ letter was not a formal complaint, and it did not go through WPNZ’s formal complaint procedures.
“That [letter] wasn’t in accordance with our formal complaints procedure,” she told the Herald.
Herald: “What was the title of the letter?”
Howieson: “I can’t remember. I can’t recall”.
Herald: “It’s titled complaint”.
Howieson: “In terms of our formal procedures, that procedure wasn’t followed…”
She said she had spent the following days “with numerous emails” trying to understand what it was that the athletes “were bringing forward”.
“There was a lot of vague, I suppose, assertions, but not necessarily a complaint that we could investigate at that initial stage in July”.
Herald: “Was the term bullying used in that letter?”
Howieson: “I haven’t got it in front of me”.
Howieson said she sought advice from the Sport Integrity Commission before meeting the three players on August 6 and then – with the complainants’ agreement – referred the matter to the commission following the meeting.
Howieson also briefed WPNZ chief executive Jan Shearer.
In a later statement, Howieson reiterated that the original concerns, as outlined in the letter of complaint, “were not submitted as formal complaints”.
“WPNZ has not sought to dismiss or minimise the matters raised…
“WPNZ is and will continue to co-operate fully with the integrity process and will take any appropriate action once that process has concluded.”
The Herald has obtained a document which shows the Sport Integrity Commission had discussed the possibility of mediation with Howieson and Shearer in November last year.
When the Herald spoke to Jan Shearer briefly last month, she said she knew nothing about any SIC investigation or inquiries.
She stated that the commission had not spoken to her about any concerns about water polo.
Shearer did not respond to follow-up questions or a phone call.
Water Polo NZ chief executive Jan Shearer.
Howieson later told the Herald: “She must have misunderstood your question”.
And later, in a written statement, Howieson said: “I’d like to correct you with regards to Jan’s comment to you earlier this month – she said she had no knowledge of the contents of the complaints or allegations and that she had not been engaged by the SIC”.
A verbatim transcript of the conversation does not support this assertion.
Do you know more? The Herald’s water polo investigation continues – please email Shayne Currie in confidence: shayne.currie@nzme.co.nz
Mediation
The Herald has learned that WPNZ has met with the Sport Integrity Commission in the past week, and is seeking mediation once again.
Howieson told the Herald: “WPNZ has always been open to mediation and still are”.
Earlier this week, and as part of our ongoing inquiries, the Herald contacted the seven other WPNZ board members – deputy chair Megan Thomson, Rachel Cade, Mike Bignell, Ruth Sio-Lokam, Sam Saxton, Cecilia Lambie and Richard Shine.
The Herald posed a series of questions, including whether they were confident in the way the organisation had handled allegations arising from the 2025 tour.
None of the board members responded.
Howieson told the Herald: “Please address all enquiries to myself as the spokesperson for Waterpolo NZ”.
Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.