Central Hawke’s Bay District Council is reviewing the rules around gambling.

The law requires councils' gambling policies to be reviewed every three years. We’re doing this to meet legislative requirements to regularly update our district policies.

The Central Hawke's Bay District Council's Class 4 Gambling and TAB Venue Policy regulates the number and location of Class 4 gaming machines ('pokies') and Totalisator Agency Board ('TAB') venues within the Central Hawke's Bay District.

We're reviewing our current rules and we need your input. Please tell us what you think:

Council is proposing that:

• if an existing Class 4 gambling venue closes, consent for another to be established will not be given.
• a venue cannot increase its number of gambling machines, and if a venue's license conditions change to reduce the maximum number of machines that it can operate, then it cannot apply to increase this number again at a later date.
• that no new gambling venues or gambling machines will be permitted in the district.

The public consultation period will run from Monday, 1 December 2025 to Monday, 23 February 2026. Once consultation has closed, all feedback will be collated and presented to the Council for consideration at a Council meeting, date TBC

You will also have the opportunity to speak in support of your submission at this Council meeting.

You can have your say on the draft Class 4 Gambling and TAB Venue Policy online, via email or by written submission.

If you need help or would like a copy of the proposal, please visit Council's Waipawa office or a Central Hawke's Bay Library where our friendly teams can help.

Ways to submit:

• Online: Fill out the online submission form here.
• Email: Send your feedback to customerservices@chbdc.govt.nz
• In person: Drop it off at the Council's Waipawa office, Waipawa Library, Te Huinga Wai - the Knowledge and Learning Hub

Make sure to have your say by Monday, 23 February 2026. You may request to present your views in person at a Council meeting (date tbc).