Appendix One - OIA24-CB012 Official Information request response – T Murray
2024 events, visit and meetings – Sport and Recreation
Event/visit
Details
/meeting/
(ATTEND
Speech
conference
/PRESENT/ Y/N
Month
Date (If
known)
City/Country Portfolio
Department Advice
SPEAK)
Minister for Sport and Recreation typically attends
the Olympics in support of NZ athletes; could tack
Olympics
26 Jul-11
on other visits in Europe around this time, noting
2024
ATTEND
TBC
July-August Aug
Paris, France Sport and Recreation
that much of Europe is on holiday in July-August.
A standing Minister for Sport and Recreation has
not attended the Paralympics since 2012. You have
Paralympics
August-
28 Aug-8
indicated interest in attending this year's Games in
2024
ATTEND
TBC
September Sept
Paris, France Sport and Recreation
September.
Office of Hon Chris Bishop – meeting request/invitation advice spreadsheet
14 December 2023
Hon Chris Bishop
Minister for Sport and Recreation
Kia ora Minister Bishop,
On behalf of the Board of Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ), we would like to congratulate you on
your recent appointment as Minister for Sport and Recreation and look forward to working together
in the future.
As Minister for Sport and Recreation we would like to cordially invite you to attend the Paris 2024
Paralympic Games to accompany myself and the PNZ Chief Executive Officer, Greg Warnecke. This
will provide an exclusive opportunity to watch our Paralympians in action as they compete to secure
medals and inspire our nation through their performances.
In addition to delivering teams to the Games PNZ is part of the International Paralympic Committee
worldwide movement that uses the power of Para sport to change perceptions of disabled people
and advocates for the delivery of pathways in all sports from community to High Performance.
Our vision is ‘Through Para sport, lives will be transformed’. I often say, “it should be as ridiculous
for a sport to not have a participation pathway for someone with a disability as to not have one for
a woman”.
After a year’s delay, New Zealand attended the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in August 2021 with
a team consisting of 29 Para athletes and 37 support staff. The New Zealand Paralympic Team placed
4th on the medals won per capita table, achieving six gold, three silver and three bronze medals, in
the process breaking three NZ Paralympic records.
In March 2022 the New Zealand Paralympic Team of three Para athletes and seven support staff
attended the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games – an event attended by 564 Para athletes who
competed in 78 events across six Para sports. Beijing proved to be New Zealand’s most decorated
Winter Paralympics in 20 years, coming away with four medals – one gold, one silver and two bronze
medals. Achieving 2nd in the world for medals won per capita.
PNZ is now on the countdown to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games to be held in France from 28
August – 8 September 2024. The New Zealand Paralympic Team will include exceptional Para
athletes likely to be competing in up to nine Para sports. The Paralympic Games will feature up to
4,400 Para athletes competing in 549 medal events across 22 Para sports.
Suite 2.10, Axis Building, 1 Cleveland Road, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand
Tel +64 9 526 0760 │
Email [email address]
I can assure you it is one of the most incredible and inspirational sporting events in the world.
Unfortunately, PNZ is unable to cover the cost of travel, accommodation, and tickets to attend this
event, however, we will facilitate the process for security and accreditation on your behalf. In order
to do so, we would value the opportunity to meet and brief you in early 2024 on preparation,
timelines and support of the New Zealand Paralympic Team as we prepare for Paris 2024.
Key events of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are as follows:
New Zealand Paralympic
New Zealand Embassy in
27 August 2024
Team Family and Friends
France
function
Opening Ceremony
Place de la Concorde
28 August 2024
Closing Ceremony
Stade de France
8 September 2024
We look forward to your response and in the meantime, should you have any further queries,
please do not hesitate to contact Greg Warnecke, Chief Executive Officer, PNZ at
[email address] or via mobile on 022 0198 377.
Ngā mihi nui,
Jana Rangooni
Chair
Paralympics New Zealand
Suite 2.10, Axis Building, 1 Cleveland Road, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand
Tel +64 9 526 0760 │
Email [email address]