Nearly 60 percent for challenging DIA over pokies

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Over half of voters in this week’s Herald webpoll felt the district council should challenge the Department of Internal Affairs over reducing pokie machines in the community.

But a good number, 40 percent, voted against it.

The question was: “Do you think the council should challenge the Department of Internal Affairs over reducing pokie machines in the community?”

From a total of 288 votes, 58 percent (167) voted “yes”, 40 percent (114) said “no” and seven people (2 percent) were “undecided”.

Comments from the “yes” voters included: “People living in East Coast and my Maori iwi do not feel the necessity to have gambling machines in order to socialise or for entertainment. It’s for the same reason that people suffer from poverty and homelessness, being out on the streets sleeping under the stars. As a ratepayer I ask the council to let Internal Affairs take their machines back to Wellington and send a clear message to all pokie providers that their damning kaupapa is not needed in Gisborne. We already have got enough to think about with Covid-19 and the arrival of Omicron.”

Another commented: “Don’t need pokies here in a town that is struggling economically.”

“Having them makes it too easy for young people to get into the habit of squandering money,” said another.

One respondent from the “no” camp felt the challenge would only result in more interference into private behaviour of the citizens.

“There are far more important issues to deal with than just gambling.”

Another felt that alcohol caused more damage in the community than pokie machines.

“What’s next? Close down bars and liquor stores. People really need to take responsibility for themselves.”