1779 days ago

We Say/You Say: Pokie Machines

Reporter The Hutt News

Hi neighbours,

Should pokie machines be outlawed?

A city councillor has put forward a policy to ban new permits for pokie machines in Wellington City.

Councillor Tamatha Paul, representing the Lambton Ward, is pushing for a 'sinking lid' policy to all but cease new permits for pokie machines in the city. The motion has widespread support across the council table and is set to pass this Thursday.

New Zealanders lost $939 million in pokie machines in 2019 and $241m of that was paid out to community and sports groups. Between 30 and 60 per cent of money going into pokie machines was from problem gamblers and much of that came from low socio-economic communities, a paper by the Problem Gambling Foundation said.

Share your thoughts below and don't forget to type NFP if you don't want your comments used in the The Hutt News.

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2 hours ago

in need of Hydrangeas for wedding

Linda from Avalon

Hello everyone
My daughter is getting married this Saturday 28th February and the venue was battered by the storm and destroyed a lot of the flowers we were allowed to use. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has any green white or baby pink hydrangeas in their garden that they wouldn't mind parting with ?
Would be very much appreciated

Thank you
Linda

21 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

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3 hours ago

Step by step for a great cause!

Shona McFarlane Retirement Village

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Sporting the bright purple and orange campaign shirts, these wonderful walkers hit the Auckland waterfront and marched from Mission Bay to Kohimarama, raising awareness for bowel cancer and the importance of early detection along the way.

Click read more to read the full story.

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