Prevention and Minimisation of Gambling Harm

Te Kura Tangata represents the health and well-being of our communities, which different influences can adversely impact. Gambling is one of these negative influences and is a recognised public health issue. Māori communities face disproportionately high levels of harm from gambling, either directly or through the actions of others. Gambling prevalence in our communities is three to four times higher than the general population in Aotearoa, worsening the range of negative impacts experienced. With new and evolving gambling options, the risk of harm continues to grow.

Understanding the diverse types of harm caused by gambling, such as financial hardship, criminal activities, mental health issues, and social challenges, in addition to the plethora of gambling modes, helps us recognise that our approach to addressing these harms must be flexible and adaptive.

What Hāpai is doing in this space

Hāpai supports Māori communities by providing dynamic approaches and resources, helping them achieve optimal well-being, oranga whenua, oranga tangata.

National MPH harm minimisation collective

Hāpai is a founding member of the first National Māori Public Health collective, Te Kāhui Mokoroa. Our organisations represent new Māori-specific preventing and minimising gambling – regional public health services. Membership includes:

• Hāpai Te Hauora
• Poutiri Wellness
• Te Rangihaeata Oranga Trust
• Purapura Whetu

The shared vision of this collective is a future in which whānau and communities flourish – free from gambling harm. We work collectively to have a cohesive national advocacy voice informed by whānau, lived experience and evidence, and a coherent and effective workforce.

Advocacy, increased awareness and workforce development are also critical elements of what we provide: 

• Growing awareness and understanding of gambling harm and the system of gambling in Aotearoa (resource development and health promotion)
• Increasing and enabling more whānau through education and learning opportunities
• Recognising and elevating community champions leading change for sustainable gambling policies
• Utilising and promoting traditional, whakapapa-based knowledge in gambling harm prevention.
• Advocating for policies that will reduce and eventually eliminate advertising for gambling products, especially those targeting vulnerable populations such as youth and individuals in lower socioeconomic areas
• Participate in campaigns that seek to adjust regulatory and tax structures to support public health goals, such as implementing higher levies on gambling operators to fund addiction prevention and treatment programs
• Advocate for the effective allocation of financial resources to support public health initiatives related to gambling, enhance education on gambling risks, and improve access to support services for those affected by gambling addiction.