‘Fatal consequences’: Sports Minister Mark Mitchell foreshadows Run It Straight law crackdown
The Government will crack down on Run It Straight-type events and other combat sports following lobbying from sports and health organisations.
The lobbying is laid out in government briefing documents released exclusively to the Herald under the Official Information Act.
Speaking to the Herald after the documents’ release, Sports Minister Mark Mitchell said: “Unregulated activities, like run-it-type events, are not supported or associated with any government agency.
“These activities ... can lead to fatal consequences. Any death from these events is an avoidable tragedy that nobody wants to see happen.”
He confirmed that work on a potential law change was progressing, led by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
Mitchell sought the advice from sports officials and health experts after Palmerston North teen Ryan Satterthwaite died from a serious head injury suffered during an impromptu version of the tackle game in May last year.
Even before his death, organised tackle events in Auckland – including some offering tens of thousands of dollars in prize money – sparked outrage in the medical community and among brain injury experts.
Events hosted in New Zealand so far include the Australian-backed Runit Championship League, Runitstraight24 and Up the Guts NZ.
The latter ran a livestreamed competition in an Auckland backyard the week after Satterthwaite’s death, with a $5000 cash prize.
The briefing papers
The documents reveal Sport New Zealand (SNZ) felt “compelled” last in May 2025 to express concerns about the emergence of Run It Straight.
SNZ is the Crown agency responsible for governing and funding sport and recreation in New Zealand.
SNZ and High Performance Sport NZ (HPSNZ) together told Mitchell their commitment was to safety, inclusivity, and evidence-based sporting environments for New Zealanders.
In a document dated May 27, 2025 – the day after Satterthwaite’s death – SNZ outlined why it was so opposed to Run It Straight and similar events.
It mentioned an event in Auckland on May 19 last year – boasting a $20,000 winner’s cheque – that left two of its eight entrants concussed.
It said neuroscientists and medical professionals had said such events presented “high risk of traumatic brain injury” due to multiple head-knocks in short time-frames.
SNZ said it was concerned about both spinal and head injuries, and called the events “regressive and irresponsible”.
“The use of large cash prizes to attract participants undermines the integrity and social responsibility values that we uphold,” it told the minister.
Run It Straight was also on Mitchell’s mind ahead of Parliament’s 2025 mid-year scrutiny week, June 16-19, when select committees reviewed proposed government spending.
Tackle challenges and combat sport regulations were among “hot topic” talking points prepared for Mitchell by his office to present to a select committee looking at sports.
The document said Run It Straight had “garnered significant public attention due to its extreme risks” and said medical experts had likened the forces exerted on the body to those in car crashes.
Already, Police, WorkSafe and ACC were talking about a “regulatory approach”, the internal paper said.
Sport NZ explains the legislation
In a briefing paper to Mitchell on June 12 last year, Julie Morrison, SNZ group manager of strategy, policy and investment, explained the current legislation governing combat sports.
Boxing and wrestling promoters fall under the Boxing and Wrestling Act 1981, meaning they must seek permits from police to host sanctioned events – and onsite medics must be there.
Under the act, police can arrest anyone suspected of being in breach of the legislation. Anyone holding or participating in an unsanctioned boxing or wrestling event can be fined $1000.
But newer events like Run It Straight aren’t covered by the act.
“A replacement for the Boxing and Wrestling Act, which regulates combat sports [including] Run It Straight, may provide an appropriate vehicle for banning such contests, or for limiting the circumstances in which they can occur,” Morrison wrote to the minister.
A spokesperson for the Runit Championship League said he had no comment to make on the briefing documents and potential for a legal crackdown.
It has no pending events confirmed in New Zealand over the coming months.
Runit’s website states its events reward “strength and grit”.
“Like any contact sport, Runit should only be performed in highly controlled environments,” it said.
“All Runit events follow strict safety protocols. Athletes are screened for suitability, and professional medical supervision is always present.”
Mitchell told the Herald the timing of any law changes around the potentially lethal activity will depend on wider government priorities.
Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 34 years of newsroom experience.
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