Pokies debate rolls into city | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

A public meeting will debate whether pokie machines should be banned in Rotorua.

Organised by Global Peace & Justice Auckland, the debate will be held at the Glenholme Primary School Hall on Tuesday from 7.30pm.

Rotorua publican and Hospitality Association of New Zealand board member Reg Hennessy will speak in favour of the machines. He will be supported by Paul Jones of Rotorua's First Sovereign Trust and Tim Woods of the Waikato's Grassroots Trust.

Speaking against will be Global Peace & Justice Auckland spokesman and veteran political activist John Minto, alongside Te Arawa kaumatua Poroa (Joe) Malcolm and Dr Laurie Morrison, an independent research consultant for the Te Kahui Hauora Trust.

Those attending the event will be asked to vote for the winning team at the end of the debate, chaired by Rotorua district councillor and mayoral candidate Charles Sturt.

The event takes place the night before National Gamble Free Day.

Mr Minto was in Rotorua in June drumming up support for his latest campaign to rid New Zealand of pokie machines.

His Hammer the Pokies campaign aimed to get people to sign up to literally smash pokie machines with hammers as a protest against government policies that do not allow local councils or communities to make decisions about pokie machines.

However, Mr Hennessy said he and his team were well aware of the issues problem gamblers faced. Mr Minto said his team would lead the call for an end to the "destructive reign of pokie machines in Rotorua".

The Great Pokie Debate, Glenholme Primary School Hall, Tuesday, from 7.30pm.