Charlie Brown Director

Charlie is the founder of GLOW - to grow in flow. His journey into flow arts began in his youth through kapa haka in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland). In 2013, he relocated to Ōtautahi (Christchurch), where he has lived ever since.

What began as a fascination with staff spinning and juggling soon grew into a wider movement practice, eventually expanding to include poi and slacklining. Over time, flow became more than just play—it became a powerful tool for transformation. In times of turbulence, it brought calm. In moments of isolation, it offered connection. And across all aspects of his life, Charlie witnessed the quiet but consistent ripple effects of its positive impact.

Toi Huri was born from this realisation: that flow could genuinely change lives, just as it had changed his. He began by running workshops at festivals and markets, and soon dreamed of reaching even further—bringing the power of movement and play into rural schools, where tamariki may not otherwise have access to these creative, embodied experiences.

Beyond Toi Huri, Charlie is a passionate climber, surfer, skier, freediver, fisherman, and yogi. He holds a Bachelor of Forestry Science from the University of Canterbury and has spent much of his career in silviculture—first as a Forest Manager, then as the owner of a forestry contracting business in Canterbury.

His experience with children stretches well beyond flow arts. He’s previously worked as a ski instructor, a swimming instructor, and—most importantly—a dad.

Through Toi Huri, Charlie hopes to inspire tamariki to move, play, and connect. To discover joy. To find calm. And to experience the deep, quiet power of flow.