Swimming: Byrne resigns post amid criticisms

Swimming New Zealand chief executive Mike Byrne has resigned following the release of a critical report into the national organisation. Photo / Ben Fraser.

Swimming New Zealand chief executive Mike Byrne has resigned following the release of a critical report into the national organisation.

The independent review recommended a complete overhaul of the dysfunctional organisation, calling for the entire board to resign and Byrne to be removed.

The report said swimming in this country was plagued by poor leadership and a dysfunctional relationship between Swimming NZ and its stakeholders - problems that could only be fixed if the sport implemented the report's 17 recommendations in full.

The taxpayer-funded review was the third major investigation into the governing body in the last four years, with the 2011 Ineson report making similar calls for widespread change at the top of the sport.

"It is with regret that Mike Byrne has today announced his resignation from Swimming New Zealand," the national body said in a statement.

"Although Mike has reservations with the draft findings of the working group, he has chosen to resign to enable Swimming New Zealand to be able to move forward productively.

"Swimming New Zealand thanks Mike for his contribution to the organisation, including implementing significant change, salvaging Swimming New Zealand's financial position, securing the sport's first ever principal sponsor, and establishing the State Kiwi Swim Safe learn to swim programme, which has seen a significant number of primary school children learn to swim. We wish Mike the very best for his future endeavours."

General manager of operations Mark O'Connor will take over in the meantime.