New Zealand's McCullum celebrates scoring 200 runs on day two of the first international test cricket match against India in Auckland
New Zealand's Brendon McCullum celebrates scoring 200 runs on day two of the first international test cricket match against India at Eden Park in Auckland February 7, 2014. REUTERS/Nigel Marple

New Zealand is expected to intensify its efforts in the global fight against the use of drugs in sport. The country's Minister of Sport Jonathan Coleman is set to join the executive committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency, or WADA,. Coleman's membership in WADA is expected to be a major boost for Kiwi sport governance.

The 12-member panel will control the world's guidelines against drugs in sport. The policy-making body will ensure the safeguards against drugs are in place including the revision of fundamental documents like the World Anti-Doping Code. WADA will also be in charge of updating the list of prohibited methods and substances.

Stuff.co reports the inclusion of New Zealand in the executive committee indicates a leap for the country from a membership in the standard foundation board that was previously occupied by previous Minister of Sport Murray McCully. The committee is comprised of representatives from governments and the Olympic movement.

In 2015, changes in the executive committee will be implemented at WADA with New Zealand prepared to assume the seat allotted to the Oceanic region for two years that was previously occupied by Australia. While other countries in the region can bid for a seat, only Australia and New Zealand are the active nations. Since the two countries have signed a bilateral agreement to take turns in holding the position, Coleman is expected to use the seat to get New Zealand back on the one of the most powerful tables in sport.

Coleman was appointed by Prime Minister John Key on a few weeks ago as the head of New Zealand sport ministry. He told Fairfax Media that being on the anti-doping committee is a "big issue" for New Zealand. Graeme Steel, chief executive of Crown entity and national anti-doping body Drug Free Sport New Zealand, remarked a Kiwi's elevation to a top position in world sport is a significant development.

Steel said New Zealand will gain a direct voice in the decision-making of the world committee. The country's previous position in the foundation board was not as influential as the executive committee. According to reports, Coleman's predecessor was determined and sometimes aggressive in setting the standard against doping in sport.