Coroner criticises Runit competitions following death of league player

Thursday 19 June 2025 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated Thu 19 Jun 2025, 1:54pm

In this story Bruce Hesketh

Coroner Bruce Hesketh has released findings into the 2023 death of 32-year-old Pāpāmoa man Tere Livingstone. Livingstone died following head injuries sustained during rugby league games. The coroner stated that Runit competitions should not be recognised as an official sport due to the lack of head injury mitigation.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldThu 19 Jun 2025, 11:35am

   Coroner warns of dangers of ‘run it straight’ trend after league player dies following head knock in 2023 (opens in new tab)

2. RNZThu 19 Jun 2025, 12:56pm

   Coroner takes aim at Runit as man dies after rugby league tackle (opens in new tab)

3. Otago Daily TimesThu 19 Jun 2025, 1:16pm

   Coroner takes aim at Runit after fatal league head injury (opens in new tab)

4. 1News via RNZThu 19 Jun 2025, 1:54pm

   Coroner says league player’s death after second head injury preventable (opens in new tab)