The paper before councillors said the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) had sole authority for issuing venue licences.
Councils were only involved in a one-off consent and if a venue wanted to increase gambling machines.
Many councillors voiced support for Cr Robinson and/or called for the council to “challenge” the DIA.
But council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said if Cr Robinson was correct “we would see that all over New Zealand”.
“We know we cannot apply this (limit gaming machine numbers) retrospectively.”
Councils could fufil their gambing machine policies through the “sinking lid”.
“We have had this legally checked. That is our advice to you.”
Mayor Rehette Stoltz said a mayoral workshop had expressed concern about online gambling “as well”. There was no control over online gambling and all proceeds went overseas.
“We have spoken at length with government about the slack rules we have. The Government makes the rules — weak rules — and we are the ones who have to enforce it or live with it in our community and carry the consequences.
“This has been raised several times about expecting us to control it in our communities without the appropriate tools.”
Among the decisions made as councillors formulated their draft policy was to write to a local MP and/or the DIA to “emphasise the dire situation in Tairawhiti and therefore apply more pressure to Central Government”.
Cr Robinson said that in the last year, gaming machines had earned $10.2 million in Gisborne-Hawke's Bay but had only returned $1.1m back in grants.
“The sinking lid policy is doing nothing.”
The council needed to be bold, he said.
Cr Meredith Akuhata-Brown said the council had to “push back” against the DIA because of the “pain and suffering” and “destruction of lives” in Tairawhiti.
Legal mechanisms were no longer fit for purpose, she said.
Cr Shannon Dowsing also indicated support for Cr Robinson.
“We should be bold and take this to our community and really see if there are any objections to it.
“I would like to know what our community thinks.”
Cr Andy Cranston said the council could “make noises to DIA to change their mindset”.
That could be done through the public consultation process if the public objection was strong.
“I think it would be.”
That would be evidence for DIA to make change “at the higher level”.
Cr Isaac Hughes said the sinking lid policy was not working as revenue earned by gaming machines had increased.
Removing all gaming machines caused “an invisible issue” with online gambling, he said. It was not known who those problem gamblers were and they could not be helped.
“It was not our job to ban gambling machines when the Government had more responsibility to fix the overall issue.”
He supported Cr Robinson's idea if there was no appetite for waiting for more evidence about online gambling.
But removing all machines in one year would require a strategy for community groups who applied for funding.
First-term councillor Kerry Worsnop, in supporting Cr Robinson, said the DIA should be challenged.
The current council had less than one year left in its term, she said.
“Tell me what we have genuinely changed since I've been sitting at this table. This is an opportunity to actually do something. Why don't we do it?”
Council chief of strategy and science Jo Noble said there was no legal mechanism to reduce venues to one gaming machine.
Councils had limited powers. “It's the way the Gaming Act is designed to work. It's the DIA that holds the real licensing power.”
Mayor Stoltz said councils did not have the required tools.
“It's like shuffling the deck chairs (on the Titanic).”
Councillors made the following decision for the draft gambling policy:
■ To continue the sinking lid policy to enable council to work towards a “pokie-free Tairawhiti”.
■ To reduce the number of gaming machines permitted when clubs merge.
The existing policy is to allow merged clubs to have the number of gaming machines specified in their licences, or 18 machines, whichever is the lesser.
■ To only allow venues to relocate for earthquake strengthening during a fixed period.
The existing policy is to allow relocation “under circumstances beyond their control”.
*Retain the sinking lid policy with TABs.
*Develop an ethics policy
“This option will ensure council takes a strong stance against gambling in the community.”
■ Join Hastings District Council in their agreement to lobby the Government to “regulate online gambling and minimise problem gambling”.
■ Write to a local MP and/or the DIA.
■ Prepare a remit for the Local Government New Zealand AGM in July.
Public consultation over the draft policy will be held from February 17 to March 17 with hearings to be held on May 17.
Council will formally adopt a gambling venue policy in late May or early June.
* The sinking lid policy, which has been in place since 2004, prevents any new licences allowing gambling in pubs and clubs from being approved. Existing licences also can not be moved to another location.
