Latest news with #Charizma
NZ Herald
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Run It Straight: What do the fans think?
High school teens gathered in groups, with one group of boys in uniform performing the haka. 'I watch [Run It Straight] almost every night,' says one teen. Tayla, another teen, says she watches the group with her dad on YouTube. TikTok creator Steven Setu was there, taking photos with fans in store. 'I'm here to support the brothers. They're doing something amazing for the Polynesians, man. They're bringing everybody here. They're building people up. It's amazing. It's unfortunate they couldn't be at the fields.' Bernice, mother to Marcellus, 2, and Moziyah, 4, was ecstatic that her sons won $100 each for dancing in the crowd. 'We just came out for the vibes. I thought I'd bring my kids with me just to let them see what the boys from Sydney are about.' When asked about the risks, she says the injuries were one of the cons. 'But the pros are bringing the community together, and also the boys being able to use their strength and ability to earn money from it." One guy came straight from work after seeing the event on Instagram. 'It is a dangerous sport. But they say they're doing it on behalf of mental illness, mental health, people with high rates of suicide, especially us Pacific men.' Another guy, who came with his wife and daughter, says participation is a personal choice. 'My thoughts on Run It Straight is [that] everyone has a decision to make. Obviously, there are risks with everything, risks with rugby, league, whatever you do. So it just comes down to the individual. If that person decides that's what they want to do, man, power to them.' Evelyn says her grandkids brought her to the event. When told about the collision-style concept, she says: 'Oh, that's mean ... yeah, my granddaughter can do that. It's like being brought up old school. You've got to learn to toughen up.' Actor and Celebrity Treasure Island winner JP Foliaki, who happened to be passing through, says everyone used to do it at lunchtime growing up – it's always been done. 'I think safety is important, so as long as everyone's being safe and enjoying themselves and having fun.' 'There's always going to be backlash' Run It Straight CEO and owner Charizma, real name Christian Lesa, pivoted from the cancelled events into a meet-and-greet pop-up. The group gave away about $15,000 in merchandise, gift cards and cash at the Foot Locker event, Charizma says. Although unsuccessful in his efforts to secure local fields to host events, Charizma says, with anything big, 'there's always going to be backlash'. 'We're creating so much noise – it's new, so I expected this. I expected a bit of backlash from the Government and the councils because it's something different.' Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich, chair of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board, confirmed the board opposed the event that was to be held at Williams Park in Māngere on public health and safety grounds. Eli Nathan, Auckland Council's head of area operations, explained that permits are required for events involving large crowds or potential safety issues. He encouraged organisers to reach out to the council early to understand the requirements. Charizma says they are looking to help people with mental health struggles and inspire Pacific youth to chase their dreams like himself. 'We just got to keep continuing to grind and make sure that we prove the haters wrong.'
1News
24-05-2025
- Business
- 1News
Run It Straight promoter wants to 'give back to the people'
Run It Straight took over Sylvia Park on Thursday night, running giveaways and a meet and greet after two South Auckland events were canned. Charizma, real name Christian Lesa, was born in Aotearoa and moved to Sydney as a kid. The CEO and owner of Run It Straight told Local Democracy Reporting that a couple of events had been cancelled. "Tonight [Thursday] was just about still finding ways to give back to the people, especially with the low economic status happening right now, with everything being so expensive," Charizma said. "Like I said in one of the videos: you can stop our events, but you can't stop our f***ing motion." The group announced on Instagram earlier this week that Auckland Council had prevented their South Auckland events, saying they were "called in and told we're not allowed to run any on the local field". However, council officials deny this, saying no permit requests were ever made. The 'Run It' events are a social media-driven trend where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear, raising serious health concerns over concussion and injury risks. Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board chair Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich opposed two south Auckland events due to the risks of brain and health-related injuries. But on Thursday night, hundreds lined up outside Foot Locker at Sylvia Park, with the crowd spilling into the car park. The group pivoted to an in-store meet-and-greet, inviting supporters on their social media platforms to come down and join them. The group said they were giving away $3000 worth of gift cards, t-shirts from sponsors Bad Apples, and $1000 cash. Charizma said the idea of Run It Straight came to him while he was in the hospital, facing mental health struggles. "I woke up and my brother was there. Being there and seeing my son, he was crying at the end of the bed. That was the breaking point… This could have all been gone in an instant just because I made the wrong decision," he said. "The only reason I'm doing here and I feel good enough about myself is because I'm just being able to chase my dreams." Now, he said, he's using his platform to create visibility for those often underestimated. "Brown skin, melanin, there's not many opportunities for us. We're all looked at as just people who can play sport and that's it, no brains." The Run It championship league attempted to mirror the physical collisions seen during rugby league or union games, but has some concerned. (Source: 1News) He says he wants to break down barriers. 'Everyone's saying this is dumb... but when we have UFC fighters that are from here and we cheer them on, everyone wants to praise them. 'All of a sudden, we run a sport that has a little bit of risk, we get shut down. So every beginning - and everything that has a great ending — has a rough beginning.' Responding to safety concerns about the collision events, Charizma said they ensure it's a safe as possible, with medics and an ambulance on site. 'People are saying our sport is about going until someone gets knocked out. That's rubbish. That's bulls***. It's not about that". "It's about whoever has the biggest hit moving on to the next round. We've had about three knockouts in eight shows. People can say what they want, but if you're not there, then you don't know.' Charizma said his group is not affiliated with the RUNIT Championships League. Taryn Crewe, Auckland Council general Manager Parks and Community Facilities, says the council has not declined or cancelled any Run It Straight events in Auckland. Run It Straight organisers had not applied for any event permits or made any requests to book council-owned or managed sites. Even if an application had been received, it would be unlikely to meet council guidelines due to health and safety concerns and the current high demand for sports fields, Crewe said. Miga Tuigamala, store manager at Foot Locker Sylvia Park, said the event was about uplifting the community, supporting Pacific youth, and backing the boys behind 'Run It Straight'. "The purpose was to represent us as Islanders out South... just doing what's right for the 'Run It Straight' guys," she said. While acknowledging the risks involved, she likens it to what's seen on the rugby field. "Most of the best rugby players come from the islands. What we see them do is what we normally see on the footy field." Of the group themselves she says: "They're lovely guys. They look big and scary, but they're not. Most Islanders, we're all big and scary, but we've all got a big heart. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Run It Straight Promoter Wants To ‘Give Back To The People'
Article – Mary Afemata – Local Democracy Reporter Run It Straight took over Sylvia Park on Thursday night, running giveaways and a meet and greet after two South Auckland events were canned. Charizma, real name Christian Lesa, was born in Aotearoa and moved to Sydney as a kid. The CEO and owner of Run It Straight told Local Democracy Reporting that a couple of events had been cancelled. 'Thursday was just about still finding ways to give back to the people, especially with the low economic status happening right now, with everything being so expensive,' Charizma said. 'Like I said in one of the videos: you can stop our events, but you can't stop our f***ing motion.' The group announced on Instagram earlier this week that Auckland Council had prevented their South Auckland events, saying they were 'called in and told we're not allowed to run any on the local field.' However, council officials deny this, saying no permit requests were ever made. The 'Run It' events are a social media-driven trend where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear, raising serious health concerns over concussion and injury risks. Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board chair Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich opposed two south Auckland events due to the risks of brain and health-related injuries. But on Thursday night, hundreds lined up outside Foot Locker at Sylvia Park, with the crowd spilling into the car park. The group pivoted to an in-store meet-and-greet, inviting supporters on their social media platforms to come down and join them. The group said they were giving away $3000 worth of gift cards, t-shirts from sponsors Bad Apples, and $1000 cash. Charizma said the idea of Run It Straight came to him while he was in the hospital, facing mental health struggles. 'I woke up and my brother was there. Being there and seeing my son, he was crying at the end of the bed. That was the breaking point … This could have all been gone in an instant just because I made the wrong decision,' he says. 'The only reason I'm doing here and I feel good enough about myself is because I'm just being able to chase my dreams.' Now, he says, he's using his platform to create visibility for those often underestimated. 'Brown skin, melanin, there's not many opportunities for us. We're all looked at as just people who can play sport and that's it, no brains.' He says he wants to break down barriers. 'Everyone's saying this is dumb… but when we have UFC fighters that are from here and we cheer them on, everyone wants to praise them. 'All of a sudden, we run a sport that has a little bit of risk, we get shut down. So every beginning – and everything that has a great ending – has a rough beginning.' Responding to safety concerns about the collision events, Charizma said they ensure it's a safe as possible, with medics and an ambulance on site. 'People are saying our sport is about going until someone gets knocked out. That's rubbish. That's bullsh*t. It's not about that. 'It's about whoever has the biggest hit moving on to the next round. We've had about three knockouts in eight shows. People can say what they want, but if you're not there, then you don't know.' Charizma said his group is not affiliated with the RUNIT Championships League. Taryn Crewe, Auckland Council general Manager Parks and Community Facilities, says the council has not declined or cancelled any Run It Straight events in Auckland. Run It Straight organisers had not applied for any event permits or made any requests to book council-owned or managed sites. Even if an application had been received, it would be unlikely to meet council guidelines due to health and safety concerns and the current high demand for sports fields, Crewe said. Miga Tuigamala, store manager at Foot Locker Sylvia Park, says the event was about uplifting the community, supporting Pacific youth, and backing the boys behind 'Run It Straight'. 'The purpose was to represent us as Islanders out South… just doing what's right for the 'Run It Straight' guys,' she says. While acknowledging the risks involved, she likens it to what's seen on the rugby field. 'Most of the best rugby players come from the islands. What we see them do is what we normally see on the footy field.' Of the group themselves she says: 'They're lovely guys. They look big and scary, but they're not. Most Islanders, we're all big and scary, but we've all got a big heart.'
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Run It Straight Promoter Wants To ‘Give Back To The People'
Article – Mary Afemata – Local Democracy Reporter The 'Run It' events are a social media-driven trend where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear, raising serious health concerns over concussion and injury risks. May 23, 2025 Run It Straight took over Sylvia Park on Thursday night, running giveaways and a meet and greet after two South Auckland events were canned. Charizma, real name Christian Lesa, was born in Aotearoa and moved to Sydney as a kid. The CEO and owner of Run It Straight told Local Democracy Reporting that a couple of events had been cancelled. 'Thursday was just about still finding ways to give back to the people, especially with the low economic status happening right now, with everything being so expensive,' Charizma said. 'Like I said in one of the videos: you can stop our events, but you can't stop our f***ing motion.' The group announced on Instagram earlier this week that Auckland Council had prevented their South Auckland events, saying they were 'called in and told we're not allowed to run any on the local field.' However, council officials deny this, saying no permit requests were ever made. The 'Run It' events are a social media-driven trend where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear, raising serious health concerns over concussion and injury risks. Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board chair Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich opposed two south Auckland events due to the risks of brain and health-related injuries. But on Thursday night, hundreds lined up outside Foot Locker at Sylvia Park, with the crowd spilling into the car park. The group pivoted to an in-store meet-and-greet, inviting supporters on their social media platforms to come down and join them. The group said they were giving away $3000 worth of gift cards, t-shirts from sponsors Bad Apples, and $1000 cash. Charizma said the idea of Run It Straight came to him while he was in the hospital, facing mental health struggles. 'I woke up and my brother was there. Being there and seeing my son, he was crying at the end of the bed. That was the breaking point … This could have all been gone in an instant just because I made the wrong decision,' he says. 'The only reason I'm doing here and I feel good enough about myself is because I'm just being able to chase my dreams.' Now, he says, he's using his platform to create visibility for those often underestimated. 'Brown skin, melanin, there's not many opportunities for us. We're all looked at as just people who can play sport and that's it, no brains.' He says he wants to break down barriers. 'Everyone's saying this is dumb… but when we have UFC fighters that are from here and we cheer them on, everyone wants to praise them. 'All of a sudden, we run a sport that has a little bit of risk, we get shut down. So every beginning – and everything that has a great ending – has a rough beginning.' Responding to safety concerns about the collision events, Charizma said they ensure it's a safe as possible, with medics and an ambulance on site. 'People are saying our sport is about going until someone gets knocked out. That's rubbish. That's bullsh*t. It's not about that. 'It's about whoever has the biggest hit moving on to the next round. We've had about three knockouts in eight shows. People can say what they want, but if you're not there, then you don't know.' Charizma said his group is not affiliated with the RUNIT Championships League. Taryn Crewe, Auckland Council general Manager Parks and Community Facilities, says the council has not declined or cancelled any Run It Straight events in Auckland. Run It Straight organisers had not applied for any event permits or made any requests to book council-owned or managed sites. Even if an application had been received, it would be unlikely to meet council guidelines due to health and safety concerns and the current high demand for sports fields, Crewe said. Miga Tuigamala, store manager at Foot Locker Sylvia Park, says the event was about uplifting the community, supporting Pacific youth, and backing the boys behind 'Run It Straight'. 'The purpose was to represent us as Islanders out South… just doing what's right for the 'Run It Straight' guys,' she says. While acknowledging the risks involved, she likens it to what's seen on the rugby field. 'Most of the best rugby players come from the islands. What we see them do is what we normally see on the footy field.' Of the group themselves she says: 'They're lovely guys. They look big and scary, but they're not. Most Islanders, we're all big and scary, but we've all got a big heart.'
Scoop
24-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Run It Straight Promoter Wants To ‘Give Back To The People'
Run It Straight took over Sylvia Park on Thursday night, running giveaways and a meet and greet after two South Auckland events were canned. Charizma, real name Christian Lesa, was born in Aotearoa and moved to Sydney as a kid. The CEO and owner of Run It Straight told Local Democracy Reporting that a couple of events had been cancelled. "Thursday was just about still finding ways to give back to the people, especially with the low economic status happening right now, with everything being so expensive," Charizma said. "Like I said in one of the videos: you can stop our events, but you can't stop our f***ing motion.' The group announced on Instagram earlier this week that Auckland Council had prevented their South Auckland events, saying they were 'called in and told we're not allowed to run any on the local field.' However, council officials deny this, saying no permit requests were ever made. The 'Run It' events are a social media-driven trend where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear, raising serious health concerns over concussion and injury risks. Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board chair Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich opposed two south Auckland events due to the risks of brain and health-related injuries. But on Thursday night, hundreds lined up outside Foot Locker at Sylvia Park, with the crowd spilling into the car park. The group pivoted to an in-store meet-and-greet, inviting supporters on their social media platforms to come down and join them. The group said they were giving away $3000 worth of gift cards, t-shirts from sponsors Bad Apples, and $1000 cash. Charizma said the idea of Run It Straight came to him while he was in the hospital, facing mental health struggles. 'I woke up and my brother was there. Being there and seeing my son, he was crying at the end of the bed. That was the breaking point … This could have all been gone in an instant just because I made the wrong decision,' he says. 'The only reason I'm doing here and I feel good enough about myself is because I'm just being able to chase my dreams.' Now, he says, he's using his platform to create visibility for those often underestimated. 'Brown skin, melanin, there's not many opportunities for us. We're all looked at as just people who can play sport and that's it, no brains." He says he wants to break down barriers. 'Everyone's saying this is dumb... but when we have UFC fighters that are from here and we cheer them on, everyone wants to praise them. 'All of a sudden, we run a sport that has a little bit of risk, we get shut down. So every beginning - and everything that has a great ending - has a rough beginning.' Responding to safety concerns about the collision events, Charizma said they ensure it's a safe as possible, with medics and an ambulance on site. 'People are saying our sport is about going until someone gets knocked out. That's rubbish. That's bullsh*t. It's not about that. "It's about whoever has the biggest hit moving on to the next round. We've had about three knockouts in eight shows. People can say what they want, but if you're not there, then you don't know.' Charizma said his group is not affiliated with the RUNIT Championships League. Taryn Crewe, Auckland Council general Manager Parks and Community Facilities, says the council has not declined or cancelled any Run It Straight events in Auckland. Run It Straight organisers had not applied for any event permits or made any requests to book council-owned or managed sites. Even if an application had been received, it would be unlikely to meet council guidelines due to health and safety concerns and the current high demand for sports fields, Crewe said. Miga Tuigamala, store manager at Foot Locker Sylvia Park, says the event was about uplifting the community, supporting Pacific youth, and backing the boys behind 'Run It Straight'. 'The purpose was to represent us as Islanders out South... just doing what's right for the 'Run It Straight' guys,' she says. While acknowledging the risks involved, she likens it to what's seen on the rugby field. 'Most of the best rugby players come from the islands. What we see them do is what we normally see on the footy field.' Of the group themselves she says: 'They're lovely guys. They look big and scary, but they're not. Most Islanders, we're all big and scary, but we've all got a big heart.'
