Gambling and smokefree policy reviews

During September 2023 we reviewed the Council's gambling and smoke-free policies and sought public feedback on proposed changes.

Consultation closed on Monday, 2 October 2023.

Background on the policies review

The gambling policies are required by law to be reviewed every three years. We’re doing this so that we meet legislative requirements to regularly update our district policies.

The smokefree policy has not been reviewed since it was adopted in 2008 and needs to be updated to bring it into line with Government policy and changes in the smokefree landscape – especially the rise of vaping.

Because there is a social wellbeing element to each policy, they have been bundled together for consultation.

Class 4 Gambling 

The current policies include:

• The Class 4 Gambling Policy 2019 covers the use of gaming machines (pokies) in the district, including the number and location of Class 4 venues a district, and restrictions on the maximum number and relocation of gaming machines.
• The TAB Venue Gambling Policy 2019 covers TAB venues, including whether new venues can be established in a district and where they may be located.

The main gambling policy changes are:

• Shifting from a cap on venues and machines to a ‘sinking lid’ approach that will prevent any new venues and/or machines from being introduced.
• Merging the two policies into a single gambling policy.

Smokefree public places

The current policy includes:

• The 2008 Smokefree Parks and Playgrounds policy adopts the concept of smokefree Council parks and playgrounds for the Kāpiti Coast District to be implemented through education and promotes awareness through signage in key parks.

The smokefree policy would become the Smokefree Public Places Policy and would:

• Broaden the policy to cover outdoor areas beyond parks and playgrounds to include:
  1. All council owned parks, reserves, and sportsgrounds
  2. All council owned playgrounds, including skateparks
  3. Within 10 metres of outdoor public areas around council buildings and facilities
  4. Train stations, bus stops and shelters
  5. Beaches, rivers, lakes
  6. Outdoor Dining on Public Land (from 2025)
  7. Events held on Council land or receiving Council funding (from 2025).
• Include vaping alongside smoking.