SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2013

The evil underbelly of “a little flutter” is one that’s affected us all one way or another. Relationship breakdowns, financial ruin, crime,

depression, suicide — the bright lights and catchy tunes of the pokies fade pretty quickly in the harsh light of reality.

Problem gambling affects all walks of life, says Andree Froude, Marketing and Communications Director at the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand, “but there are certain people it impacts more.”

“Much of the money is coming out of our poorer communities, those that can least afford it. Pokie machines are much

more prevalent in lower socio-economic areas, because they make the most money there.”

Gisborne’s Dick Johnston (OBE) of the Problem Gambling Foundation agrees.

“People gamble to relieve stress, boredom, loneliness, and money worries. It’s escapism, and people living on low incomes have lots of problems to escape from.”

Once a more male domain, problem gambling has become primarily a female problem in the past decade with women making up 92 percent of those seeking help Gisborne’s Problem Gambling Foundation service.

“Often they are at home with nothing to do, the kids are at school, and there’s no part time work like there used to be. And the venues are nicer, so women have no hesitation about going in alone.”

Maori feature heavily in the stats, too, he says.

“In Gisborne, 90 percent of the people seeking our help for problem gambling are Maori.”

Working in health promotion and counselling for over three decades, Dick envisioned a solution, and in collaboration with local kaumatua established Te Ara Tika charitable trust, a kaupapa Maori problem gambling service available to all.

“I wanted to ensure the service worked for Maori, and if it works for Maori, it works for Pakeha.”

#e trust’s two counsellors work closely with the trustees; eight kaumatua and kuia strategically placed throughout the Tairawhiti region from Potaka to Tiniroto.

“So now we have people on the ground in the community — but more than that, people with mana.”

#ere’s plenty of work to do — the Gisborne region has 210 poker machines in 14 venues — all in or near Gisborne city, with one glaring exception — the Ruatoria pub. Continued on page 2

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BROKEN DREAMS:

Almost $10 million was swallowed

up by the region’s poker machines last year. The majority of

gamblers seeking help in Gisborne are Maori women, according to the local branch of the

Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand.

PICT

URE

Dave Th

omas

GAMBLING GISBORNE

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From page 1

It’s something Henare Ngarangione, one of the trust’s two health promoter/counsellors feels strongly about.

“"rough strong local community support and initiative they were able to get rid of the pokies at Tolaga and Toko — now it’s just Ruatoria.”

Problem Gambling Foundation colleague Dick Johnston has the word from the locals.

“"ere’s indication that whanau living on the coast would love to have the coast pokie- free,” he says.

According to "e Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand, each machine in the Gisborne area pulled more than $46,000 last year. At that rate only 11 machines (most venues have 14) will swallow more than half a million Gisborne dollars, often from those who need it most.

It’s not just the gamblers who suffer, but whanau, friends — the whole community, according to Mr Ngarangione.

"e impact of gambling on whanau is one of the key reasons the “nans” of Tolaga Bay took action in 2006, says Mr Johnston.

“After seeing hungry mokopuna hanging around the pub’s gaming room looking for their parents, the Tolaga ladies stormed in and told the publican to get rid of the machines. After further community initiative and support the machines were gone.”

Not everyone is delighted to see a gaming room close though. Gambling money — almost $10 million was fed into Gisborne pokies last year — is redistributed to community groups and sporting organisations — or at least some of it is. (See chart).

In an economic climate where sponsorship is increasingly hard to come by and costs are escalating funding is sorely needed and greatly appreciated.

A big catch is the distribution of gaming money. Allocated nationally, capital from the Kaiti mall pokies could (theoretically) be used for an equestrian centre in Otago. If funds were redistributed regionally, Gisborne’s sport and community groups would have received almost $3.6 million last year. Instead just under $1.76 million was granted.

Proposed amendments by the Maori Party to the problem gambling Act would have seen 80 percent of gaming funds returned to the community of origin. "e changes were unsuccessful with the government citing “licensing conditions” as the reason, although redistribution of funds according to geography is said to be supported through “regulation”.

Problem gambling is an addiction, says Dick, and like most addictions the first step is to admit the problem.

“If someone close to you is gambling, the first step is to get them talking about it. It’s a very secret habit. Don’t ask them directly if they gamble, ask them how often they gamble. Get them to discuss it, let them know it’s OK, but it does need talking about.

“"en refer them on for professional help.”And don’t be shy of asking for funding,

says Mr Johnston. “Sporting, non-profit community groups,

arts — there’s plenty of funding there, and it’s not all from gambling money either.”

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Te Ara Tika, Kaupapa Maori Problem Gambling Service, Free Ph 0800 66 42 62. Phone Henare Ngarangione 027 454 5934

Problem Gambling Foundation Gisborne, free counselling and support 868 0289Free Ph 0800 66 42 62, www.pgfnz.org.nz

Gambling helpline, 24-hour information and support 0800 654 655

Problem gambling self assessment tool atwww.choicenotchance.org.nz

SUPPORT TEAM:

Henare Ngarangione and Dick Johnston

with poster boy Chad at the

Problem Gambling Foundation

Gisborne.

‘It’s not just the gamblers who su"er’

PICTURE Paul Rickard

GRANT DONNELL Saving is important because you will need a back-up for emergencies. I don’t have a retirement plan but I do have a property plan in place.

BELINDA SHANNThere will be no super by the time I retire. That is why I have a plan in place to prepare for my future.

TAUSILIA MCCLUTCHIEIt is definitely important, I am 17 and I have KiwiSaver and another savings account for ‘just in case’ plus holidays and to buy stuff I like.

KYLEE CHARTERISIt is very important because the Government may not be able to provide for everyone later on.

SIONEE TUPEI don’t have a savings plan in place but it is something I know I have to think about.

MICHELLE GRACEI do think it is important and I did have a savings plan but I find it really hard to save money.

CHRIS ROFEI haven’t thought about saving money. I don’t have any money for a rainy day. I live week to week.

DEAN HIHIMoney should be put away for emergencies and for your own peace of mind. I put a little bit away each week with KiwiSaver.

BLAKE RICHARDSI’m only 21. It’s not something I’m thinking of at the moment.

SHIRLEY HARVEYHaving a nest egg is important. You definitely need one for a rainy day. It would be even better to win Lotto though.

ON THE STREET

Money Week

encourages

saving

money for a

rainy day.

The Herald

asked people

in the street

if they had a

nest egg

ON THE WEBThe budget for the War Memorial Theatre redevelopment has been increased by $2.1 million to $9.6m, just as work is about to begin and the fundraising trust had almost met its target of $5.3m. Council staff recommend the council fund the difference, do you agree?

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:

VOTE ONLINE: www.gisborneherald.co.nz

Yes31%

No, seek more donations

26%No, reduce scope

of project

43%

YES: 102; NO, SEEK MORE DONATIONS: 85; NO, REDUCE SCOPE OF PROJECT: 140

TOTAL: 327

Would you like to see dairying return to the Tairawhiti region in a big way?

GH online polls are not scientific and reflect the opinions of only those internet users who have chosen to participate

HH

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2 THE GISBORNE HERALD

OPINION