Listen Now: 
Public health experts from around the world have been in Auckland this week for the fifth international conference on problem gambling.
Anthony Hawke from Maori public health organisation Hapai Te Houora, which is one of the organisers, says Maori have been able to share some of their holistic approaches to the problem.
These include a focus not just on the harm but on what can be done, such as the drive by Auckland kaumatua for a sinking lid policy to remove pokies from their communities.
He says pokies have proved a real scourge for Maori.
"The fact that they’re located in our communities or communities with a high percentage of Maori, is really the reason. It just happens those same communities are affected by a high percentage of alcohol outlets, a high percentage of fast food outlets and no great transport system or connection to the rest of the community so it’s that raft of issues and here at the conference we’re talking about tech can be used to link all those sectors together so we can have a better impact on making real change for our community," Mr Hawke says.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH ANTHONY HAWKE CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MTU2MDE=
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
RELATED NEWS
