North Harbour Hockey ex-Olympian coach accused of inappropriate relationships, another worker facing sex charges

A former Olympian turned hockey coach and another male employee at North Harbour Hockey Association (NHHA) have separately been accused of misconduct involving young women.

A just-released statement from NHHA confirms the two staff members are no longer employed.

A Herald investigation has found the Olympian resigned after a probe into alleged inappropriate relationships with female players. The other staff member has been charged by police with sex crimes.

There is no suggestion the two men’s alleged conduct is linked.

Hockey New Zealand confirmed to the Herald it undertook a review after the New Zealand Hockey Players Association alerted the agency to concerns about the ex-Olympian in February. Hockey New Zealand said the man had resigned from his position.

Approached by the Herald tonight, the coach said there was no substance to the allegations against him but declined to comment further.

Sources close to the situation say the allegations related to his conduct with young women at NHHA.

Hockey community members have expressed frustration to the Herald over claims that leaders were aware of concerns regarding the man’s alleged conduct for many months but, in their view, took insufficient action.

In a statement to the Herald, NHHA said an internal review was undertaken in 2025 after “initial concerns” were raised, but “nothing was found”.

“Earlier this year we were made aware of player safety and welfare concerns within our high performance environment, so we agreed with Hockey New Zealand that they would conduct an independent player experience review.”

Following this review, NHHA said it took “immediate action” and placed the coach on paid leave while it undertook an employment investigation.

“His employment ended in May 2026.”

The other NHHA employee has separately been charged with three counts of indecent assault, two of which allegedly involved a girl aged between 12 and 16. His case is currently before the Auckland District Court.

It’s understood this man’s alleged offending occurred onsite at NHHA’s National Hockey Centre in Rosedale between April and July last year.

NHHA told the Herald the second man’s employment ended in July 2025 “following an investigation conducted immediately after we received complaints from other staff members”.

“The two former staff the NZ Herald has inquired about are no longer employees of North Harbour Hockey. It would not be appropriate for us to comment on any ongoing police investigations.

“North Harbour Hockey understands the importance of safeguarding and welfare for everyone in our hockey community, and we are continually reviewing and improving our policies and procedures in this area.”

‘I find it abominable’

With regard to the former coach, a member of the hockey community said they were “disgusted” with how the situation had been handled by the NHHA.

“I find it abominable. There were many people speaking about it. They knew.”

The source said allegations against the coach included alleged inappropriate messages and inappropriate relationships with players.

The source encouraged anyone impacted by the alleged conduct to come forward.

The Herald understands the Sports Integrity Commission was also alerted to the allegations surrounding both men, but the commission said it could not comment on specific details of complaints.

The Herald put questions about the coach to Hockey New Zealand.

Chief executive Michelle Hollands said the agency was alerted to concerns about “player safety and welfare for our contracted players” at NHHA earlier this year.

In response, Hockey New Zealand launched an independent player experience review of the training environment.

“This decision was supported by the New Zealand Hockey Players Association and the member association concerned. Our focus is the wellbeing of the athletes and to provide any necessary support.”

Hollands said Hockey New Zealand was not in a position to comment further.

“You will appreciate this is an employment matter for the association.”

Another member of the hockey community felt the way the coach situation was handled by NHHA created a perception that young women’s safety came second to protecting the coach.

They said in their opinion, NHHA was “saving face” and not protecting the community.

“More decisive action could have been taken earlier.”

A copy of an email sent by NHHA chief executive Michelle Bentham on May 13 regarding the Olympian’s resignation was obtained by the Herald.

It said: “Evening everyone, We wish to advise that [the coach] has resigned from his position with NHHA, effective today. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours. Please join us in wishing [the coach] well for the future.”

‘No communication at any stage’

Concerns were also raised with NHHA leaders last year about the behaviour of the second staff member, who was subsequently charged with sexual offending against two young women.

NHHA allegedly said it could not assist the young women who complained about the man’s behaviour in taking their allegations to police.

A father of an NHHA member spoken to by the Herald said there had been no communications with club members about either situation.

The man felt angry the girls were denied support to report the alleged conduct to authorities and had to go to police alone.

“[NHHA] should have gone to the police immediately.”

The father said there was “no communication” to members at NHHA, at any stage, about the “serious” matter.

“It’s absolutely shocking, I don’t see how any organisation anywhere in the world should be doing that.

“You’re very happy to take the revenue, but when the chaos hits the fan, you’re not prepared to do anything?”

The father said the handling of complaints against both workers was “disgusting”.

He believed the club should have immediately alerted the community when concerns were raised about the men’s alleged conduct.

The father is unsure whether all parents of affected children are aware of what has been happening, as even he has had no communication from NHHA.

The father believed young female members had been let down by their own association.

Police confirmed an investigation began after allegations about the staffer, who is now before the courts, were reported to authorities last August.

“He has been charged with two counts of indecent assaults female 12-16 and indecently assaults female over 16.

“These charges relate to alleged offending against two victims.”

The man is due to reappear in the Auckland District Court later this year.

A copy of the man’s charging documents does not list his occupation.

If convicted, he could be jailed for up to seven years.

Katie Harris is an Auckland-based journalist who covers issues such as sexual assault, workplace misconduct, media, crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2020.

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