A Napier mother of two says the flashing lights of pokie machines are a trap that damages Māori wairua.
This week is Gambling Harm Awareness Week, Kiriana, a survivor of gambling harm for 15 years says pokie machines were normalised in her whānau and community, making the habit hard to break.
“It’s a trap. They sell it. Selling it with bright lights and jackpots. I mean, we as Māori have actually bigger things to worry about than our people selling their souls to a pokie machine that sings songs you know, causes so many disadvantages and that feeling is like, really, that’s not good for our wairua,” says Kiriana.
Hāpai Te Hauora is running a national campaign this week highlighting how gambling systems are designed to trap whānau, not empower them.
If you seek help, go to www.safergambling.org.nz/
