A leading brain injury advocacy organisation is warning that proposed legislation targeting dangerous combat-style activities such as “Run It Straight” competitions is only the first step in preventing future tragedies.
Headway Aotearoa has welcomed the Government’s move to strengthen laws around organised impact sports and challenge events, but says lawmakers must ensure any reforms are broad enough to cover emerging activities that place participants at risk of serious head injuries.
The warning comes after growing public concern about the popularity of social media-driven collision contests, where participants deliberately run into each other at speed without the protections normally associated with organised sport.
Headway says while targeting existing events is important, new variations of combat-style activities are likely to emerge in the future. The organisation argues legislation should be designed to adapt to changing trends rather than focus narrowly on a single activity.
The issue has particular significance for Māori communities, where rates of traumatic brain injury have historically been higher than those experienced by the wider population. Research has consistently shown Māori are disproportionately affected by serious injuries, including concussion and long-term neurological conditions resulting from head trauma.
Health experts say traumatic brain injuries can have lifelong consequences, affecting memory, concentration, emotional regulation, mental health, employment opportunities and overall quality of life. Repeated head impacts can also increase the risk of long-term neurological disorders.
Advocates are concerned that highly publicised collision events may normalise dangerous behaviour among rangatahi, particularly when promoted through online platforms where participants can gain attention through increasingly risky challenges.
The debate also raises broader questions about how New Zealand balances personal freedom with public safety. While some argue individuals should be free to participate in voluntary activities, health organisations maintain there is a responsibility to prevent foreseeable harm, particularly when young people are involved.
Headway says stronger legislation should be accompanied by education campaigns, community awareness programmes and better access to support services for those living with brain injuries. The organisation believes prevention must remain the primary focus rather than relying solely on enforcement after injuries have occurred.
Community leaders have also highlighted the need for culturally responsive approaches when addressing injury prevention, particularly in Māori communities where whānau-centred solutions and local engagement are often more effective than one-size-fits-all interventions.
The proposed law changes are expected to be closely watched by health advocates, sporting organisations and community groups as the Government considers how best to regulate activities that carry significant risks of serious injury.
For Headway and other public health advocates, the message is clear: changing the law is a positive step, but preventing the next avoidable tragedy will require a broader commitment to education, prevention and long-term community wellbeing.
