The managing partner of Auckland employment law firm SBM Legal, Don Mackinnon, has been appointed to the three-person independent International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Vetting Panel.

The inaugural panel has been appointed to act until the 2019 IAAF Congress. It was appointed following a recruitment process where 37 people were consulted.

Mr Mackinnon has extensive experience working in the governance of different sports, including rugby union, rugby league, cricket and netball. He currently chairs a number of appointment panels in sport.