Funding and Operation

The Agency is a Crown Entity established by the New Zealand Sports Drug Agency Act 1994. It receives Government funding from the vote to Sport, via the Ministry of Culture and Heritage.

Government funding for the year 2004/05 is 1.5 million dollars. In return for funding the Agency undertakes to meet a variety of performance standards in relation to its operations and particularly testing and education programmes. These standards are set out in an annual Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Minister for Sport and the Chair of the Agency.

The Agency currently conducts 1125 tests from the Government grant, divided 60% out of competition and 40% in competition. Largest costs centre are; Laboratory Fees (samples are sent to Sydney), staff salaries and fees paid to Drug Testing Officials.

The Agency also receives income from testing conducted on a "fee for service" basis. Major clients for this type of testing include the World Anti-Doping Agency, International Federations and the NZ Rugby Union. 361 tests were done under this kind of "contract testing" in the year to June 30 2004.

The work of the Agency is overseen by a Board of up to 5 members, appointed by the Minister. The Board appoints an Executive Director who then employs additional staff to enable the Agency to carry out its work. The Agency currently has a full time staff of 5. In addition a group of approximately 30 "Drug Control Officials", based throughout the country, conduct the testing programme assisted by a wider pool of "chaperones". All testing officials operate as independent contractors