Otorohanga District Council loosens rules around pokies

The Mayor of a North Island council is at odds with his fellow representatives - after a majority of the councillors voted to change the district's gambling policy. The Otorohanga District Council initially voted to loosen the rules around pokie machines for venues, moving away from a longstanding 'sinking lid' policy in October last year, in favour of a 'Controlled Increase in Venues' policy. The change in policy required public consultation - which is now under way - with public submissions closing on the first of April. Otorohanga District mayor Max Baxter voted to stick with the sinking lid policy - he sat down with our reporter Kate Gregan.