Sports Medicine New Zealand (SMNZ) is a non-profit-making multidisciplinary organisation for all health professionals and other groups and individuals interested in community health, with special refernce to the principles of sports medicine and exercise science.

Functions | Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct | Benefits of Membership

SMNZ was founded in Dunedin in July 1963 and is an incorporated society, registered in 1967 under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908. It became affiliated to the International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS) in 1965 and as such is one of over fifty organisations worldwide.

The 12 branches of SMNZ are autonomous and form the membership. These branches are Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, Manawatu, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury, Otago and Southland. The Manawatu and Southland branches are currently managed from Wellington and Otago respectively.

SMNZ Inc. is administered by a council consisting of the national executive committee and a representative from each branch. The SMNZ national office is based in Dunedin, New Zealand.

What are Sports Medicine New Zealand's Functions?

1. Promote graduate/postgraduate educational opportunities in the various sciences related to sports medicine.
2. Disseminate current information from all sources through SMNZ's official publication, the NZ Journal of Sports Medicine, published twice yearly
3. Organize lecture tours by prominent sports medicine authorities to give members the opportunity to increase their knowledge of sports medicine.
4. Organize scientific seminars and conferences at regional, national and international level involving selected prominent experts in the field of sports medicine.
5. Co-operate with national bodies such as the Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC), Sport Science NZ, Accident Compensation Corporation, NZ Society of Physiotherapists, NZ Medical Association, NZ College of General Practitioners, NZ Olympic Committee and international bodies including the International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS), Sports Medicine Australia (SMA), the British Association of Sports Medicine (BASM) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
6. Advise individual sports participants, sporting organizations, government departments and local bodies on matters related to sport, health and national fitness.
7. Associate with all areas of community health with special emphasis on matters concerned with the recreational and physical activity of people of all age groups.

Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct of Sports Medicine New Zealand Inc.

Membership of SMNZ is accepted on the understanding that the application of any member is in good faith and is expected to help further the objects of SMNZ. All endeavours under the auspices of SMNZ are expected to be a credit to the organization. The following actions are particularly proscribed:

1. Use of the name or the initials of SMNZ by a member in any way calculated to imply that he or she has a special professional standing or qualification.
2. Use of the name or initials of SMNZ in a professional context for personal gain.
3. Statements made to the media in the name of SMNZ other than those made by its officers authorized to do so.
4. Any statements to the media by a member or members deemed to be inimical to the good name of another member or members of SMNZ, including its elected officers.
5. Any statement or action deemed inimical to the good name of SMNZ in general and calculated to bring it into disrepute.

Benefits of Membership

By joining SMNZ, you will:

1. receive SMNZ's official publication, the New Zealand Journal of Sports Medicine, twice yearly.
2. have access to the members only pages of the SMNZ Website. These allow you to access the British Journal of Sports Medicine Online, SMNZ discussion forum, search facilities, and enable you to view and update your contact details online (Full SMNZ Members only) .
3. be able to attend the annual conference at a reduced rate.
4. have access to a wide range of publications and resources at reduced rates.
5. be able to attend activities organised by your branch. These include lectures, meetings and social get togethers.
6. meet and get to know some great people!

To learn more about joining SMNZ, click here