The Creative Coalition strongly supports efforts to reduce the far-reaching harm to the community that problem gambling creates.

However, it is our view that the passage of this Bill in its current form puts at risk the availability and distribution mechanisms of a broad range of funding channels.

The funds currently granted from gaming trusts to a large number of charitable organisations deliver valuable cultural services to the wider community that could suffer if interrupted without a plan for their replacement.  

We are concerned, as the aim of Bill is to reduce or eliminate gaming machines from New Zealand, that less funding will be available to many theatres, orchestras, exhibitions, dance companies, festivals, etc…  that serve the greater Auckland region and bring rich engagement, intellectual stimulation and entertainment to a million people every year. 

Many of these companies have successfully met the gaming trust criteria for grant funding and have converted these funds into significant community programmes, primarily educational and outreach projects.

We strongly oppose the decision-making and distribution mechanisms being transferred from the existing gaming trusts to local councils and/or community boards.  

• The consolidations of grant funding to a single body (e.g. local body) reduces the opportunity for organisations to seek vital funding from a variety of sources with a variety of criteria.  

• As has been the experience, grant applications and reporting processes are more onerous for local government funding than is currently the practice with gaming trusts.  We are apprehensive that resource and compliance costs for local government and organisations seeking funding would unnecessarily increase.

• Given local councils’ challenges at maintaining manageable rates demands, funds could be used to divert rates increases, or worst case scenario, become politicised. 

Lastly, we notice with discouragement that neither the Bill nor explanatory note makes any reference to arts or cultural organisations.

The Commerce Committee is reporting back to Parliament on 9th November.  Should you wish to readdress any concerns, please contact the committee members (click to email):

• Kanawaljit Singh Bakshi
• Clayton Cosgrove
• David Cunliffe
• Clare Curran                     
• Peseta Sam Lotu-liga                      
• Mojo Mathers                                
• Mark Mitchell                           
• Nick Smith                                 
• Jonathan Young, Chairman