Make a difference
The Kiwi Lives campaign asks New Zealanders to think and talk about the broad impacts of problem gambling on individuals, communities and families. It asks people to find out what they can do to make it right.
What can individuals do?
There are lots of things you can do if you're concerned about your gambling. You could set a fixed amount to spend gambling, or leave your ATM and credit cards at home when you are gambling. For more information about what you can do if you're concerned about your gambling, visit the get help page.
What can families do?
You can ensure you provide a safe home environment - such as talking to your teenagers about the risks of gambling. If you are concerned about someone in your family's gambling
Visit the "concerned about someone elses' gambling?" page
What can communities do?
There are a number of things you can do if you're concerned about problem gambling and want to get involved in addressing the wider impacts of gambling.
Community action groups
You could join a community action group. There are a number of groups operating around New Zealand who take action to address gambling harm in their community.
Find out about existing community action groups
You could even look at starting your own, or put problem gambling on the agenda of other community groups you might be involved in. For ideas and support for taking action contact Max Llewelyn at the Problem Gambling Foundation on 07 834 0014 or 0800-664 262.
Monitoring your local gambling venue
Gambling Watch produce a checklist for monitoring your local gambling venue (click on the images above to review these), which includes checking that the venue is meeting its obligations and making it easy to make a complaint to the Department of Internal Affairs if there is something you are concerned about.
Visit Gambling watch's website and get a copy of their checklist.
Make a submission to your council about pokie machine numbers and placement
The Gambling Act 2004 allows local or regional councils (or territorial authorities) to control the growth of gambling. Your council will have a policy in place that can limit the number of pokie machines or class 4 venues and where they can be placed in your area.
Your council must review their policy periodically and must consult with their community during the review. Contact your local council to find out when their next review will be and how to make a submission.
Help with your submission
The Problem Gambling Foundation can support you if you wish to make a submission.
Call the Problem Problem Gambling Foundation on 0800-664 262.
Read The Otara Action Group's story and find out about what they did for their community.
The Department of Internal Affairs
The Department of Internal Affairs has lots of great information and statistics about gambling, including the numbers of gambling machines in each district, how much money is lost and other useful facts.
Visit the The Department of Internal Affairs website to find out more.