Latest news with #Māngere-ŌtāhuhuLocalBoard
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.'
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Run It Straight hosts Sylvia Park event after South Auckland cancellations
The group announced on Instagram this week that the Auckland Council had prevented its South Auckland events, saying representatives 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 chairman Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich opposed two south Auckland events because of 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 it was giving away $3000 worth of gift cards, T-shirts from sponsor 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 the group ensured it was as 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 b*******. 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 was 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 because of health and safety concerns and the current high demand for sportsfields, 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 Straightguys,' 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, 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
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
‘Run It Straight' Event Cancelled In Māngere
Article – Mary Afemata – Local Democracy Reporter A 'Run It Straight' event planned for Williams Park in Māngere has been canned after organisers failed to secure a permit and a local board raised safety concerns. The event is a social media-driven trend where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear, raising serious health concerns over concussion and injury risks. Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich, chair of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board, told Local Democracy Reporting that the board opposed the event on public health and safety grounds and confirmed no official application had been made to Auckland Council. 'An event was scheduled at Williams Park Māngere [on Wednesday]. The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board opposes this event for reasons of safety, given what data is available as a result of brain and health-related injuries,' Tauanu'u says. 'This event did not apply for an approved permit from Auckland Council, nor a parks booking through the Auckland Council process. This event will now not take place at Williams Park, Māngere.' Auckland Council confirmed to Local Democracy Reporting that Williams Park is council-owned, and that no application for an event permit or booking was received. A council spokesperson said it had not declined or cancelled any Run It Straight events in Auckland. 'If the organisers were to follow the correct process, we believe it is highly unlikely the event would have met the council's guidelines for approval.' Eli Nathan, Auckland Council's Head of Area Operations, said a permit is required events that meet certain conditions, such as involving more than 150 people, public safety risks, or the use of vehicles, power, or food vendors. 'For clarity, the council has not received an application for a permit nor a booking for the ground and therefore cannot comment on this event.' Permitted events on council land must meet health and safety planning requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Nathan said event organisers unsure about their obligations are encouraged to contact the council for advice. 'We are not aware of any contact being made by the organisers regarding a permit or booking.' The Australian-based company, RUNIT Championship League, debuted in Melbourne in April and made its way to Auckland this month. A RUNIT Championship League spokesperson said they did not have any event booked at Māngere. 'I believe who you are referring to is @runitstraight24 on Instagram.' It is understood that @runitstraight24 is a separate social media account currently promoting and staging 'Run It Straight' events across South Auckland. In an Instagram reel posted last week, events were planned for Manukau Rovers on the 21 May and the Marist Saints on 22 May. However, last night on their Instagram account, a video was posted announcing that the South Auckland events were cancelled after local council and government intervened. 'Tomorrow's show, Wednesday and Thursday at Rovers and Marist Saints has been cancelled,' the video said. We tried to come back to the home of Run It Straight, but unfortunately, your councils and your parliament has actually called us in and said we're not allowed to run any on the local field. So, stay with us, we're still working on ways to get a field and bring a show to, you know, the home of the Run It Straight. We're coming. Let's go.' The group has been approached for comment. Health professionals have raised alarms about the dangers of 'Run It Straight' events, with some critics dubbing it the dumbest sport ever'. AUT professor and sports biomechanics expert Patria Hume told RNZ's Midday Report on Tuesday that the sport ignores decades of evidence on head injury risks, calling it a 'reckless and dangerous spectacle.' The deliberate design to maximise impact is both irresponsible and scientifically indefensible, defying decades of research on head injury risks, she told RNZ. Tauanu'u has also expressed concern about the wider spread of these unsanctioned events in South Auckland and said he plans to speak directly with Manukau Rovers leadership. 'I will be expressing concerns to the Rovers from the community that includes safety and liability,' he said. 'I would not think that this is the kind of thing that should be encouraged, given data on concussion and head-related injuries.' He said that the board continues to support community events that are safe, positive, and follow proper processes, especially when young people are involved.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
'Run It Straight' Event Cancelled In Māngere
A 'Run It Straight' event planned for Williams Park in Māngere has been canned after organisers failed to secure a permit and a local board raised safety concerns. The event is a social media-driven trend where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear, raising serious health concerns over concussion and injury risks. Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich, chair of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board, told Local Democracy Reporting that the board opposed the event on public health and safety grounds and confirmed no official application had been made to Auckland Council. "An event was scheduled at Williams Park Māngere [on Wednesday]. The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board opposes this event for reasons of safety, given what data is available as a result of brain and health-related injuries," Tauanu'u says. "This event did not apply for an approved permit from Auckland Council, nor a parks booking through the Auckland Council process. This event will now not take place at Williams Park, Māngere." Auckland Council confirmed to Local Democracy Reporting that Williams Park is council-owned, and that no application for an event permit or booking was received. A council spokesperson said it had not declined or cancelled any Run It Straight events in Auckland. "If the organisers were to follow the correct process, we believe it is highly unlikely the event would have met the council's guidelines for approval." Eli Nathan, Auckland Council's Head of Area Operations, said a permit is required events that meet certain conditions, such as involving more than 150 people, public safety risks, or the use of vehicles, power, or food vendors. "For clarity, the council has not received an application for a permit nor a booking for the ground and therefore cannot comment on this event." Permitted events on council land must meet health and safety planning requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Nathan said event organisers unsure about their obligations are encouraged to contact the council for advice. "We are not aware of any contact being made by the organisers regarding a permit or booking." The Australian-based company, RUNIT Championship League, debuted in Melbourne in April and made its way to Auckland this month. A RUNIT Championship League spokesperson said they did not have any event booked at Māngere. "I believe who you are referring to is @runitstraight24 on Instagram." It is understood that @runitstraight24 is a separate social media account currently promoting and staging 'Run It Straight' events across South Auckland. In an Instagram reel posted last week, events were planned for Manukau Rovers on the 21 May and the Marist Saints on 22 May. However, last night on their Instagram account, a video was posted announcing that the South Auckland events were cancelled after local council and government intervened. "Tomorrow's show, Wednesday and Thursday at Rovers and Marist Saints has been cancelled," the video said. We tried to come back to the home of Run It Straight, but unfortunately, your councils and your parliament has actually called us in and said we're not allowed to run any on the local field. So, stay with us, we're still working on ways to get a field and bring a show to, you know, the home of the Run It Straight. We're coming. Let's go." The group has been approached for comment. Health professionals have raised alarms about the dangers of 'Run It Straight' events, with some critics dubbing it the dumbest sport ever". AUT professor and sports biomechanics expert Patria Hume told RNZ's Midday Report on Tuesday that the sport ignores decades of evidence on head injury risks, calling it a "reckless and dangerous spectacle." The deliberate design to maximise impact is both irresponsible and scientifically indefensible, defying decades of research on head injury risks, she told RNZ. Tauanu'u has also expressed concern about the wider spread of these unsanctioned events in South Auckland and said he plans to speak directly with Manukau Rovers leadership. "I will be expressing concerns to the Rovers from the community that includes safety and liability," he said. "I would not think that this is the kind of thing that should be encouraged, given data on concussion and head-related injuries." He said that the board continues to support community events that are safe, positive, and follow proper processes, especially when young people are involved.
1News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- 1News
'Run It Straight' event blocked in Māngere
A "Run It Straight" event planned for Williams Park in Māngere has been canned after organisers failed to secure a permit and a local board raised safety concerns. The event is a social media-driven trend where participants compete in full-contact collisions without protective gear, raising serious health concerns over concussion and injury risks. Tauanu'u Nick Bakulich, chair of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board, told Local Democracy Reporting that the board opposed the event on public health and safety grounds and confirmed no official application had been made to Auckland Council. "An event was scheduled at Williams Park Māngere [on Wednesday]. The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board opposes this event for reasons of safety, given what data is available as a result of brain and health-related injuries," Tauanu'u said. "This event did not apply for an approved permit from Auckland Council, nor a parks booking through the Auckland Council process. This event will now not take place at Williams Park, Māngere." Auckland Council confirmed to Local Democracy Reporting that Williams Park was council-owned, and no application for an event permit or booking was received. A council spokesperson said it had not declined or cancelled any Run It Straight events in Auckland. "If the organisers were to follow the correct process, we believe it is highly unlikely the event would have met the council's guidelines for approval." Eli Nathan, Auckland Council's head of area operations, says a permit is required events that meet certain conditions, such as involving more than 150 people, public safety risks, or the use of vehicles, power, or food vendors. "For clarity, the council has not received an application for a permit nor a booking for the ground and therefore cannot comment on this event." Permitted events on council land must meet health and safety planning requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Nathan said any event organisers unsure about their obligations were encouraged to contact the council for advice. The Australian-based company, RUNIT Championship League, debuted in Melbourne in April and made its way to Auckland this month. A RUNIT Championship League spokesperson said they did not have any event booked at Māngere. "I believe who you are referring to is @runitstraight24 on Instagram." It was understood that @runitstraight24 was a separate social media account currently promoting and staging "Run It Straight" events across South Auckland. In an Instagram reel posted last week, events were planned for Manukau Rovers on May 21 and the Marist Saints on May 22. However, last night on their social media account, a video was posted announcing that the South Auckland events were cancelled after local council and government intervened. "Tomorrow's show, Wednesday and Thursday at Rovers and Marist Saints has been cancelled," the video said. "We tried to come back to the home of Run It Straight, but unfortunately, your councils and your parliament has actually called us in and said we're not allowed to run any on the local field. So, stay with us, we're still working on ways to get a field and bring a show to, you know, the home of the Run It Straight. We're coming. Let's go." The group has been approached for comment. Health professionals have raised alarms about the dangers of "Run It Straight" events, with some critics dubbing it the "dumbest sport ever". AUT professor and sports biomechanics expert Patria Hume told RNZ the sport ignored decades of evidence on head injury risks, calling it a "reckless and dangerous spectacle". "The deliberate design to maximise impact is both irresponsible and scientifically indefensible, defying decades of research on head injury risks," she said. Tauanu'u has also expressed concern about the wider spread of these unsanctioned events in South Auckland and said he planned to speak directly with Manukau Rovers leadership. "I will be expressing concerns to the Rovers from the community that includes safety and liability," he said. "I would not think that this is the kind of thing that should be encouraged, given data on concussion and head-related injuries." He said that the board continues to support community events that are safe, positive, and follow proper processes, especially when young people are involved. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
