Local Board Pacific members say; “No more pokies!”

In an unprecedented move all seven of the Pacific members of Auckland Council’s Local boards* have come together to call for Auckland Council to oppose the “pokies-for-convention centre” deal. The 2006/7 NZ Health Survey states that Pacific people make up 21.1% of problem gamblers. The primary mode of gambling for problem gamblers are pokie machines according to the Problem Gambling Foundation, they also go on to report that Pacific adults are 3.5 times more likely to have gambling problems. We know the damage problem gambling has caused in our communities with families losing homes, people losing jobs, children not being looked after, people committing fraud to feed their addiction, people losing their dignity. As Pacific people within this supercity structure we say “No more pokies!” We are against creating an environment where pokie machines are more accessible.

We call on Governing Body members to support the Notice of Motion from Councillor Cathy Casey being voted on this Thursday afternoon. The motion reads:

“That Auckland Council advises the Government that it does not support any legislation which will allow Sky City to increase opportunities for gambling in return for a National Convention Centre.”

ENDS

* Please note that each Board member issuing this statement does so in their own right only, and not on behalf of their Board.

Tunumafono Ava Fa'amoe – Otara Papatoetoe Local Board
Tafafuna’i Tasi Lauese JP - Mangere Otahuhu Local Board
Poutoa Papali’i – Otara Papatoetoe Local Board
Leau Peter Skelton – Mangere Otahuhu Local Board (Chair)
Lydia Sosene – Mangere Otahuhu Local Board
Togiatolu Walter Togiamua – Mangere Otahuhu Local Board
Josephine Bartley – Maungakiekie Tamaki Local Board

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